Child Custody Attorney in St. Clair Shores

Understanding the Best Interests of the Child

When parents cannot agree on a child custody issue, a judge will take twelve factors into consideration when making the decision. These are as follows:

• The relationship between the child and each parent
• The ability of each parent to provide love, affection, guidance, and education to the child
• The ability of each parent to financially provide for the child’s basic needs
• The length of time the child has lived in a stable environment
• The moral character of each parent
• The permanence of the custodial home
• The physical and mental health of each parent
• The relationship between the child and their school, community, and home
• The child’s preference, depending on their age and maturity level
• The ability of each parent to maintain a healthy relationship between the child and their other parent
• Any previous history of domestic violence
• Any other pertinent factor

A child custody attorney in St. Clair Shores can fully explain these factors and how they apply to your case.

Mediating Child Custody Issues

In most cases, it is generally advised that couples work together to reach an agreement on child custody issues. If the parents agree to the terms, they can reach this agreement on their own, but a child custody attorney in St. Clair Shores should draft a written agreement in case there is a dispute in the future.

When couples do not agree but still want to keep the matter out of court, they can attend mediation to try and resolve the issue. During mediation, the two parents will meet with a mediator who will try to foster compromise and communication between the two parties so they can reach an agreement. Mediating these issues is beneficial, as it is less costly and takes less time than litigating the matter in court. Mediation also allows the couple to retain control over the issue, whereas in court a judge will make the final decision.

Our St. Clair Shores Child Custody Attorney Can Help With Your Case

If you are going through a divorce or need a legal order modified, our child custody attorney in St. Clair Shores can provide the sound legal advice you need. At Iafrate & Salassa, our skilled attorneys know the challenges you are facing, and how to overcome them to give you the best chance of a successful outcome. Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.