Columbia County Child Custody Attorney
Addressing Child Custody Matters in Wisconsin
If you need to address issues related to child custody, having an experienced lawyer on your side can be crucial. A family law attorney can help you understand the legal complexities of establishing joint or sole custody rights while providing you with valuable guidance throughout the process. From filing paperwork and gathering evidence to advocating for your rights in court, a qualified attorney will ensure that your case is handled properly from start to finish.
With our extensive knowledge of family law and our experience with child custody cases in the courts in Columbia County and the surrounding counties, John T. Fields & Associates, LLC can help you reach a favorable outcome for yourself and your children. We will strive to ensure that your and your children's best interests are taken into account while also making sure your parental rights will be protected. We understand how emotional these types of cases can be, and we always strive to provide compassionate representation and personalized service that will help you reach a positive resolution to your unique situation.
Understanding Your Rights and Options in Columbia County Child Custody Cases
When it comes to issues related to child custody, it is important to understand your rights as a parent and your legal options for establishing either joint custody or sole custody. Whether you are going through a divorce or need to address disputes with your child's other parent, navigating the family court system can be a daunting challenge. Fortunately, with the assistance of an experienced attorney, you can determine the best steps to take to ensure that you will be able to provide for your children's needs, no matter what may happen in the future.
Some of the legal issues to address in a child custody case may include:
- Establishing legal custody: Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions regarding a child's upbringing, such as education, healthcare, and religious practices. In Wisconsin, family courts presume that joint legal custody is the solution that will provide for children's best interests, although sole legal custody may be appropriate in cases involving high levels of conflict between parents, domestic abuse, or child neglect or abandonment. Our attorney can help you understand the issues you will need to address as you establish legal custody of your child.
- Determining child placement: Physical placement refers to where a child will live and spend their time. There are a variety of options for physical placement, and depending on your family's situation and your children's needs, you may share equal physical custody with the other parent, or children may live primarily in one parent's home while seeing the other parent regularly. We can help you negotiate a placement schedule that works for you and your family.
- Co-parenting agreements: In Wisconsin, a parenting plan is a necessary component of any child custody case. This document will outline the responsibilities and expectations of each parent and address issues such as communication, transportation, scheduling, decision-making, and dispute resolution. By focusing on how you and the other parent can work together to meet your children's needs, you will be able to cooperate, minimize arguments and conflicts, and maintain positive parent/child relationships. Our attorney can assist you in developing a parenting plan that meets your needs while aligning with the requirements of state law.
- Modifying custody orders: In some cases, a change in circumstances may require a modification of an existing child custody order. We can help you understand your requirements in these situations and the procedures that will be followed when requesting modifications or responding to a modification request by the other parent. With our help, you can make sure your parental rights and your child's best interests will be protected.
Contact Our Columbia County Child Custody Lawyer
When you need to address legal issues related to child custody in Columbia County, Wisconsin, the team at John T. Fields & Associates, LLC is here to help. Contact us today by calling 608-729-3590 to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist with your case.