Birmingham Child Custody Attorney
Experienced Family Law Firm: Call (205) 259-7650
Whenever possible, the state of Alabama prefers to award custody to both parents in the aftermath of a divorce. This does not necessarily mean that physical custody will be equally shared, but it does give both parents the same decision-making authority. Joint legal custody prevents either parent from making unilateral decisions relating to education, extracurricular activities, religious upbringing, and health care. The Birmingham divorce lawyers at Shaw Family Law can help you better understand the difference between joint legal custody and joint physical custody.
What Sets Shaw Family Law, LLC Apart?
- Serving Birmingham, Alabama Since 1987
- We focus on protecting your rights and interests
- We can handle complex custody matters in court or out of court
- We focus on cost-effective, long-term solutions
We take divorce cases seriously. If you have questions about your case or your rights as a parent during a child custody battle, we are here to help. Contact us at (205) 259-7650 to request a consultation.
"During my 30 years in the practice of Family Law, I have seen it all. The diversity of my clients and their particular circumstances has given me a broad exposure to the various circumstances and events that ultimately bring a person to a divorce lawyer. My clients are beneficiaries of those years of experience, and the expertise I have gained along the way."
- Paul Shaw
HOW ARE CHILD CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS DETERMINED?
If parents are able to agree upon child custody arrangements on their own, such arrangements will usually be recognized and honored by the court. A child custody lawyer can help parents through this process. If mutual agreement cannot be reached, a custody decision must be rendered by a judge. Family courts in Alabama prioritize these decisions according to the perceived best interests of the child.
Factors Considered in Alabama Child Custody Cases:
- Existing parent-child relationships
- Any history of domestic abuse
- Geographic location of each parent
- Parental willingness to cooperate
- Wishes of the child
Establishing Parent-Child Visitation in Birmingham
In circumstances where one parent is awarded physical custody, the other parent is usually awarded rights of unsupervised visitation. The state of Alabama has implemented a standard visitation schedule to help families establish a court-sanctioned visitation routine. In its simplest form, the non-custodial parent gets to spend every Wednesday evening and every-other weekend with their child. The non-custodial parent also gets half of each summer vacation and alternating holidays.
Shaw Family Lawyers has been helping our Birmingham clients navigate the difficulties of divorce since 1987. Recognized by Business Alabama Magazine as a Super Lawyer® in the area of divorce law, Paul B. Shaw, Jr., understands what is at stake for you and your family. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome and to get things right the first time.
Call (205) 259-7650 to speak with an experienced Birmingham child custody lawyer.