Child Custody Attorney

Child Custody Attorney in Arlington & DFW Areas

As an experienced Arlington & DFW Child Custody Attorney, Law Offices of David S. Kohm knows child custody is not a simple matter that everyone can always agree on. I recommend mediation or evaluation before taking this matter to the court. In most cases it’s best to avoid having the court become involved because then the judge is the final decision maker when it comes to custody of the child/ children.  One of the key benefits for using mediation or evaluation is the fact that each presents a more practical and controlled means for creating a feasible custody plan. Our law firm has an attorney on staff who is a certified mediator and he is highly qualified to advise on child custody as part of the contested divorce process.

Mediation:
One of the first questions that need to be addressed is whether the children should be involved in determining custody arrangements. There are both negative and positive aspects to this question and a lot will be determined based on the child’s age, maturity level, and comprehension of the split up of their parents, but this is ultimately mom and dad’s decision.  What is important is that if the children are old enough and mature enough, they can help with providing input into visitation, certain custody schedules, and support the overall mediation process.

Law Offices of David S. Kohm understands that in certain cases the children are too young or not mature enough to understand the mediation process. Our custody attorneys suggest that the parents use their discretion and determine the best way to discuss these custody issues with the children and if necessary have them present at the signing of the mediated agreement so they understand that mom and dad are still going to be there to take care of them.

Evaluation:
This process entails both parents agreeing to hire a neutral specialist (psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or family counselor) to create a comprehensive analysis to evaluate the best suitable custody plan for recommendation to the court. Through interviews with family, the child’s school, family friends, and observing the child at home, the specialist can create the best plan for all involved.  As you might guess, having an expert evaluate all of these facets that make up the report will be a benefit towards the final ruling and are done on an objective basis.

Summary:
Either of these programs is better than letting a judge have the ultimate decision.  Our Arlington & DFW Family Law Attorneys can help you determine which is best for your custody issues. Our custody attorneys will be there to advise and assist you during this difficult time and our custody attorneys want you to get the best results possible so contact us online by completing our Free Evaluation Request form. We will contact you for a free consultation and to discuss how we can help.