Child Custody

Lafayette Child Custody Lawyers

When a couple with children makes the difficult choice to end their relationship or divorce, it is often challenging to make decisions involving child support, visitation, and even custody. An experienced Lafayette child custody lawyer can work with you to protect your interests and the interests of your child in family law disputes. Thus, helping to ensure a healthy custody agreement is created.

Determining Custody in Louisiana

As with most states, Louisiana courts make custody and visitation plan decisions based on the best interests of the child. If a couple can mutually decide on a joint custody arrangement, the court will consider it and, if in the best interest of the child, likely approve the agreement.

Considerations for Child Custody Orders

If a custody agreement cannot be established by the parents, then the court will have to determine what is best for the child through child custody litigation. A child custody decision will be made after taking some key points into consideration:

Child’s welfare. 

First and foremost, will the child be safe in the physical custody of each parent? Will the child be provided for, including basic necessities like food, clothing, hygiene needs, and healthcare? Are both parents mentally and physically fit to care for the child?

Stable environment.

Will each parent provide a stable home and school environment? If the child needs to relocate, how will the child adjust to the new home and community? What is the distance between each parent’s residence?

Emotional support. 

Will the child’s emotional, social, and religious needs be met by both parents? What is the morality of each parent and how will that affect the child’s life? Will both parents support the child’s relationship with the other parent?

Existing bond.

 Does the child have a deeper bond or strong emotional ties with a particular parent? Does the child have a preference to live with one parent over the other and if so, does the preference support the child’s best interests?

If you cannot come to an agreement on a custody arrangement and are headed into a child custody case, be sure to contact a Lafayette child custody lawyer to assist in demonstrating to the court that you will meet the needs of your child.

Sole Custody in Louisiana

Louisiana family law heads into custody evaluations with the assumption that joint custody will be in the best interest of the child. It is uncommon that the court will award sole custody to just one parent.

Qualifications for Sole Custody 

There are instances, however, where sole custody is in the best interest of the child:

  • When a parent has a history of violence.

  • If a parent has an existing substance abuse or addiction problem.

  • If there is a history of domestic violence, abuse, or neglect from one parent, including physical, mental, or sexual abuse.

These instances are rare, but the court may find one parent to be unfit and award sole physical and legal child custody to the other parent during a child custody case. In these instances, it is not assumed the unfit parent will have visitation rights to see the child unless the court creates a visitation schedule. The family court may order supervised visits to ensure the child’s safety.

Speak with our Lafayette Child Custody Lawyers

Are you in need of an affordable child custody attorney in Lafayette? Our team is here to help with child custody disputes, divorce proceedings, and other family law matters. Don’t wait, act now to ensure your child’s well-being is taken care of during custody proceedings.

 Contact our firm by calling  (337) 201-922  to schedule your personalized family law case evaluation with an experienced family law attorney you can trust.