Birmingham Child Custody Lawyer
Representing Clients Facing Child Custody Disputes in Jefferson, Shelby and St. Clair Counties
When two people who have been married discover that they have irreconcilable differences, the conclusion usually is that they must separate from each other by means of a divorce. Even if this is a mutual decision, that does not mean it is an easy one.
One aspect that makes a divorce ten times harder is when the couple share children. Instantly, the situation becomes more complicated, not only emotionally, but legally and financially as well.
One of the most critical issues to decide is the amount of time each parent is allotted with their child. The state of Alabama usually offers parenting time to both parties, but this is not necessarily divided in an equal manner, split half-way.
When you are seeking counsel on custody, reach out to the Law Office of Albert Moore. Our child custody lawyer in Birmingham offers reliable legal guidance to seek the optimal situation for you and your family.
Contact us now at (205) 453-1549 if you have any questions about how to move forward with a child custody case.
How Custody Arrangements Are Determined in the State of Alabama
If you and your previous spouse or partner can come to a mutual agreement on your own about how custody will be arranged, the court will usually honor this. However, what happens if you and your ex-spouse cannot agree?
This is where it becomes critical to have a knowledgeable attorney who can help you sort through this issue by collecting evidence that would persuade the court that your child should stay with you instead. The court will consider all the evidence before making a decision they believe will properly look after the child’s best interests.
Some of the typical aspects that the judge will consider when deciding how child custody will be divided include:
- Where each parent currently lives and their proximity to critical locations of the child’s needs, such as their medical facilities, school, place of worship, or community center.
- Any existence of a criminal background.
- Any situation of domestic violence or abuse.
- The child’s connections to other family members, such as grandparents or siblings.
- The child’s preferences if the child is old enough.
- The willingness of either party to allow a strong relationship to form with the child and the other parent.
Is 50/50 Custody in Alabama?
Yes, Alabama is a 50/50 child custody state. A judge will usually grant joint custody to both parents unless there is a convincing reason not to. Alabama favors joint custody but not equal physical custody.
The state's policy is to confirm that minor children have regular and resuming contact with parents who have demonstrated the capacity to act in the best interest of their children.
Join Custody
Joint custody means that both parents have equal legal rights and responsibilities for the child, including the right to determine the child's education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.
The judge will consider many factors when deciding whether to award joint custody, including the child's wishes, the parent's parenting skills, the parent's ability to cooperate, and the child's living arrangements. The court will also consider the child's age and developmental stage.
If you are considering custody in Alabama, you must talk to our child custody lawyer about your legal options. Our custody lawyer can help you understand your rights and can help you negotiate a child custody arrangement that is in your child's best interests.
How Visitation Works in Alabama
In the scenario that one of the individuals is rewarded primary physical custody, the other parent is awarded visitation rights. Usually such visitation rights are unsupervised, although certain background history might require supervision.
In normal custodial arrangements in Alabama, a typical standard schedule is followed, where the parent with visitation rights is able to care for the child on alternating weekends, in addition to weekly evenings in the middle of the week. Half of the summer vacation, along with every other holiday, are also awarded to the parent.
However, this is only a standard arrangement, and every child custody case is different. If your ex-spouse or partner is not giving you enough time with your child, we can work with you to demonstrate this to the court. Rely on the Law Office of Albert Moore to help you uphold the rights to maintain a loving, strong relationship with your child.
Call us today at (205) 453-1549 or contact us online and our child custody attorney in Birmingham can set up a consultation to discuss all your queries and concerns.