Few issues that come to family court are as heated as child custody. In the best-case scenario of divorce, parents agree to co-parent civilly and respectfully, collaborating on a mutually agreeable schedule for shared parenting time. However, when emotions run high, it isn’t always that simple. A child custody lawyer in Gilbert from Stewart Law Group is ready to help you achieve your child custody goals in a way that’s in your children’s best interests.
At Stewart Law Group, our child custody attorneys are well-practiced in all areas of Arizona child custody law, including custody for non-married parents, paternity, and modification of existing child custody orders. Call our Gilbert law office today to set up a consultation so we can get started on the best strategy for moving forward in your child custody case.
Why Choose Us For Your Child Custody Attorneys in Gilbert?
Stewart Law Group is a team of skilled family lawyers with deep roots in Arizona family law. We are the Gilbert child custody law firm that’s ready to guide you through your case, including all aspects of Arizona divorce, child custody, child support, asset division, and custody cases for unmarried parents. We offer significant advantages to your legal case.
Experience
Stewart Law Group has a team of attorneys with over 100 years of combined experience navigating Arizona family law and child custody disputes under Arizona’s standards for making all decisions in the best interests of children.
Knowledge
Our child custody lawyers have an in-depth knowledge of what Arizona family court judges consider when making child custody decisions, including parents who prioritize their children’s needs. With an attorney from Stewart Law Group dedicated to your case, you have the team’s collaborative minds seeking creative solutions as well as the individualized attention of an attorney assertively advocating your position through negotiations and court litigation when required.
How Can a Gilbert Child Custody Attorney Help?
Divorce and child custody are emotionally fraught and legally complex matters that can leave a parent overwhelmed. Your Gilbert child custody lawyer from Stewart Law Group will take prompt action on your case, including the following:
- Take a tailored approach to your child custody case with the acknowledgment that all families and situations are unique
- Engage in problem-solving with creative solutions to reach a resolution outside of court whenever possible without compromising on your children’s best interests
- Interpret legal framework for child custody laws including types of custody, common shared parenting schedules, and child support laws in Arizona
- Facilitate negotiations to work out a mutually agreeable child custody settlement whenever possible
- Litigate aggressively in court for the best possible child custody decision should your case go before a judge
Chances are, your spouse already has a lawyer. Whether you’re the petitioner or respondent in a child custody case, you need legal counsel throughout every stage of the divorce and child custody process.
Arizona’s Best Interest of the Child Standard
Family courts in Arizona make all decisions with a child’s best interest as their highest priority. The Arizona court begins each case with the presumption that continued close contact with both parents is in a child’s best interests, but this is a rebuttable presumption. This means a parent can show evidence and provide testimony as to why it isn’t in their child’s best interest to have 50/50 custody.
At Stewart Law Group, we understand that circumstances sometimes make continued close contact with the other parent against a child’s best interest. We are ready to help you present your side in court through compelling evidence and testimony for the most favorable outcome possible.
Types of Child Custody in Arizona
Arizona recognizes two types of child custody when making custody decisions in a child’s best interest. Custody in Arizona includes:
- Physical custody or with which parent a child resides
- Legal custody or the right to make important decisions for the child for their medical care, education, religion, and extra-curricular activities
When crafting a child custody agreement or litigating child custody in court, both types of child custody must be resolved in the judge’s final orders.
How is Child Custody Determined in Arizona?
Judges uphold the “best interests of the child” standard and reach their decision by carefully considering all evidence and testimony presented in court. The consider many relevant factors including the following:
- Each parent’s daily interactions with the child
- Whether or not one parent has been the primary caregiver
- Each parent’s willingness to facilitate continued close contact with the other parent
- Any allegations of domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, or substance abuse or addiction
Judges also consider a child’s preference about which parent they prefer to live with if a child is mature enough to express their wishes reasonably, however, if the child’s wishes are not in a child’s best interest the judge will rule the other way. Judges in Arizona court make each child custody decision on a case-by-case basis after considering all evidence presented in court.
We Help With More Than Child Custody in Divorce
Our lawyers are well-versed in all aspects of child custody in Arizona, including establishing paternity in a custody case. Arizona enforces a parent’s obligation to provide for their children and considers close contact with both parents as in a child’s best interest. We also understand that circumstances sometimes change dramatically very quickly. If you’ve experienced a significant, lasting change in circumstances such as job loss or another child from a different relationship, we’re ready to assist you in seeking a modification of existing orders. Courts in Arizona may make changes to existing child custody laws only after a significant and lasting change in a parent’s circumstances. You’ll need evidence and testimony supporting your request for compensation in a courtroom.
Call the Gilbert Child Custody Lawyers Today
A child custody decision has lasting impacts on the entire family as they move forward after the divorce. It’s critical to have a skilled, experienced Gilbert family law attorney to present evidence to a judge in a clear, concise way to maximize your chances of a successful outcome. If you’re facing a divorce with children, you need legal representation from child custody attorneys who leave nothing to chance. We carefully construct the most compelling case possible if your child custody dispute goes to court, but always begin with negotiations toward an out-of-court settlement whenever possible.
Reach out to Stewart Law Group today so we can begin a strong strategy in your child custody case in Gilbert.