Wellford, SC Child Custody Lawyers

As a parent, your greatest obligation is to your child. But upholding that obligation can be difficult when you find yourself in the middle of a mentally draining custody battle in Wellford, SC. Whether you are fighting for custody as part of a divorce or exploring custody options when you’re not married to your child’s other parent, it’s important to have the right legal support by your side.

The team at Nowell Law Firm understands how painful custody battles can be, and we’re here to help you explore your options and decide how you want to move forward. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 864-707-1785.

Potential Parenting Arrangements

There are numerous potential parenting arrangements that you and your co-parent may explore during this process. If you are unable to agree on an arrangement, you can always let the court decide—however, this means giving up all control over the process. If you want to retain some control and have a say in the outcome, it is always beneficial to negotiate. This isn’t always possible. When you are dealing with an abusive co-parent or one who is committed to hurting you at any cost, amicable co-parenting, and negotiation may simply not be a possibility. In these situations, it’s even more important to have a Wellford child custody lawyer advocating for you.

In the past, the most common custody arrangement involved one parent having the majority of the parenting time—usually the mother. The other parent would have visitation every other weekend and for one day during the week, in addition to certain holidays and sometimes during the summer. This is still an option, although it has fallen out of favor as the default option with the courts.

The court now prefers to see both parents have significant parenting time with their children. Research indicates that this leads to the best psychological outcomes for children and stronger relationships between children and both parents. This may mean a 50/50 parenting schedule, such as a 7-on 7-off schedule, or a 2-2-3-3 schedule. But it may also mean a schedule tailored to both parents’ schedules, resulting in something other than a 50/50 split.

In some cases, it isn’t possible for one parent to have any parenting time. This is often the case if the parent has a history of abuse, alcoholism, or drug addiction. When this is the case, the non-custodial parent may have to petition the court for supervised visitation to rebuild their relationship with their children.

The Role of the Guardian Ad Litem

When a parent files a petition with the court, the next step is for the court to appoint a guardian ad litem, often shortened to GAL. It can feel strange to have a virtual stranger interviewing you, your children, their teachers, family members, and friends, but it’s important to cooperate with the GAL and respect their role in this process. Their job is not to advocate for either parent—it is to get an understanding of the child’s life with both parents, the child’s preferences, and what type of custody arrangement may best suit the child’s needs. They aren’t there to help you, but they also aren’t there to harm you. They, like you, have your child’s best interests in mind.

Worried About a Child Custody Dispute? Here’s What to Expect

Custody disputes are often a parent’s worst nightmare when they divorce or break up with their child’s other parent. First, know that you should not take legal advice from your co-parent. It’s common to hear threats of full custody, but the chances of the other parent taking full custody when you are a fit parent are slim. You should work closely with a child custody lawyer who understands what the court looks for in these disputes, how to negotiate effectively with contentious co-parents, and how to show the court that you are acting in your child’s best interests.

In many cases, these disputes are settled out of court. Both parties often realize the benefit of keeping the decision-making power between the parents, rather than giving it to the court. This may mean compromising and changing your mental picture of what the ideal custody situation looks like, assuming your co-parent is a capable and safe co-parent.

If your case does go to court, both sides will have a chance to present their case to the court. The guardian ad litem will also have the opportunity to present their findings and make their official recommendations. While the judge is not guaranteed to order a custody arrangement mirroring the GAL’s recommendations, they do often give significant consideration to their suggestions.

Negotiating Changes in Your Agreement

The custody arrangement you and your co-parent come to at the start of your co-parenting relationship may not meet your children’s needs down the road. As their schedule changes, so too may their parenting needs. Changes may also be necessary if either parent’s work schedule or location changes.

This is when you need to petition the court for a custody modification. If you and your co-parent agree on the terms, this is fairly straightforward. You simply document the new custody arrangement and the odds are good that the court will sign off on it. If you can’t come to an agreement, you will go before the judge and make your case.

How Nowell Law Firm Can Help

Your time with your child is a huge part of your quality of life—it’s normal to be afraid of the outcome of a custody dispute. At Nowell Law Firm, we understand the enormous pressure and stress you are under. Our goal is to provide targeted, experienced legal representation that considers your unique situation and helps you focus on the matter at hand. Throughout this entire process, you can count on us to advocate for your and your child’s best interests.

Contact Us Today to Explore Your Legal Options

If you and your co-parent are struggling to come to a custody agreement, it’s time to turn to the family law team at Nowell Law Firm. Set up your consultation with our firm now by calling us at 864-707-1785 or sending us a message online.