Missouri Child Custody
Child custody is usually the most important concern for anyone involved in a dissolution of marriage. Attorney, Jay Galmiche, with over 20 years of experience in providing compassionate and knowledgeable representation, will listen to your situation and help you resolve your child custody concerns in the shared best interest of your children and you.
Legal Custody and Physical Custody
There are two types of child custody in any Missouri divorce, legal separation or paternity proceeding.Legal Custody refers to a parent's decision making rights on issues affecting the growth and development of a child, including but not limited to, a child's health, medical care, education and schooling.
In Missouri, the court generally prefers that parents have joint legal custody of their child, but in certain circumstances there are compelling reasons why the parents should not jointly make decisions for their child, and a sole legal custodian is appointed.
Physical Custody refers to the amount of time each parent has the child in their care. In a joint physical custody plan each parent will have a substantial amount of time with the child.
In Missouri, generally the factors the court may consider in awarding a parent physical custody of their
child, include but are not limited to, the following: child's wishes; the parent's wishes; ability and willingness of a parent to actively perform their functions as a parent for the needs of the child; interrelationship of the child with parents and siblings; which parent will allow the child frequent and meaningful contact with the other parent; their child's adjustment to the child's home, school and community; any history of abuse or neglect and other relevant issues affecting the child's best interest. Our law firm has years of experience representing clients where the main disputed issue is child custody
Child Custody Modifications
If after a divorce or paternity judgment, the circumstances change for your ex- spouse, your children or you, resulting in the current parenting plan or custody plan no longer being practical, our law firm can assist you in modifying your prior judgment for child custody or visitation.
We represent clients in St. Louis, Missouri and in surrounding areas of Missouri. Evening and weekend appointments are available. Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards are accepted.
Our law firm provides our clients with experienced, knowledgeable, compassionate and assertive representation. Please call our law firm to schedule an initial free consultation and explanation of your rights and options, at 636-532-2300, toll free 1-888-532-2303, or click here to contact us for a free case evaluation.
