Gonzales Child Custody Lawyer

Gonzales Child Custody Attorney

Emotions run high when a child’s home life is at stake. In Gonzales, family courts don’t hand over custody lightly. Parents might have to defend their rights. If you’re facing a custody battle, a Gonzales child custody lawyer can help you stand your ground.

Personal Service and Attention

At Christopher J. Bridges, Attorney at Law, we give clients guidance during some of life’s most personal legal issues, including family law, divorce, estate planning, and wills. Our goal is to resolve child custody and other issues for the well-being of everyone involved. The lasting relationship we have with our clients is what helps us achieve results.

Types of Custody in Louisiana

Child custody in Louisiana is divided into legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to decision-making authority. This includes choices about schooling and medical care. Physical custody refers to where the child lives.

Joint custody is common. Both parents share legal custody in this scenario. One parent may be the domiciliary parent who handles daily issues. However, in joint custody, both parents have to agree on major decisions.

Sole custody is less common. Judges typically prefer the child to have contact with both parents when possible. Sole custody is used when one parent is deemed unfit.

There were 22.3 per 1,000 children involved in child maltreatment reports in 2022. Even if the report was unfounded, it could have an influence on custody type.

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What the Court Considers in Custody Cases

Family courts weigh many factors when making custody decisions. In Gonzales, this would involve the Ascension Parish Court, located on E Worthey St. The guiding principle is the child’s interests.

A parent’s ability to provide a safe home is important. Courts look at each parent’s past involvement, and judges ask detailed questions about daily life. Each parent needs to be willing to support the other parent’s relationship with the child.

A child’s voice can carry weight depending on the age. Courts may interview the child away from their parents. Judges listen for a mature reason for their preference. They do not consider a simple desire to be with the “fun” parent.

Preference alone does not decide the case. Judges use it to support other findings. It can help if the child wants to stay with a parent who offers more stability.

Modifying Custody Orders

Custody orders can be changed, but these changes must meet certain legal standards. A parent has to show a clear shift in circumstances.

Some of the most common reasons include:

• Change in living situation: One parent moving or remarrying can alter the child’s daily life. Judges assess whether the new situation supports the child’s needs. Moving far away often leads to a custody review.
• Child’s needs: As children grow, their needs shift. A teenager may have new concerns that didn’t exist before. Parents can ask the court to revisit the plan when care requirements change.
• Parental behavior issues: A parent has to create a stable environment for their child. If they begin to neglect the child, the other parent can seek a modification. 5% of child maltreatment cases in Louisiana in 2022 involved child neglect.
• Domestic violence. Safety always comes first. If a parent has new charges, the other parent can ask to remove contact. This also applies to substance abuse issues. Domestic violence or substance abuse can lead to a full change in custody.
• Mutual agreement: Some parents agree to change the plan without a fight. However, courts still need to approve the new arrangement. This can happen quickly if the change serves the child.

Before any changes, courts need obvious proof. Judges do not change orders on a whim.

Relocation Disputes

Louisiana requires a court order before a parent moves a child more than 75 miles away. The law applies even in joint custody situations. Parents must give written notice to the other party.

Courts review how the move will affect the child. They look at school options as well as community ties. The access could adversely affect the other parent’s ability to see the child. In addition, the moving parent must show that the relocation benefits the child.

Why Do I Need an Attorney for My Custody Case?

Child custody cases involve more than just filing forms. An attorney can help manage the whole procedure. Their presence can help a parent with strong feelings work through the case.

Mediation is common in Gonzales custody cases. Courts can require it before setting a trial. An attorney can prepare their clients for mediation, which can make the event go smoother for all parties involved.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Most Common Child Custody Arrangement?

A: The most common child custody arrangement is joint custody. This means both parents share legal responsibility for the child. One parent may be named the primary domiciliary parent. This is the parent the child lives with most of the time. The other parent usually has a set visitation schedule. Courts prefer this model because it keeps both parents involved.

Q: Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With in Gonzales, LA?

A: A child cannot choose which parent to live with in Gonzales, LA. They can have preferences, but they are not the only factor. Courts may listen to older children. Judges look at whether the child has the maturity to express a reasoned choice. Still, the child’s interests are most important. Even if a child prefers one parent, the judge may make a decision for another reason.

Q: Can Custody Arrangements Be Changed Later?

A: Custody arrangements can be changed later. They are not set forever. A parent can file a motion to modify custody if there has been a material change. The new arrangement must serve the child’s interests. However, judges need strong evidence before making a change. These cases move faster when both parents agree.

Q: What Role Does Domestic Violence Play in Custody Decisions?

A: The role that domestic violence plays in custody decisions is serious. A history of abuse can affect a parent’s custody rights. Courts may restrict contact or order supervised visits, and the safety of the child as well as the other parent is the top concern. According to state data, 7.1 per 1,000 children were victims of child maltreatment in 2022.

Keeping Children Safe

Courts in Gonzales aim to put the child’s needs first. Custody cases are rarely simple, but the needs of the child should guide every decision. Schedule a consultation with Christopher J. Bridges, Attorney at Law, for practical solutions.