Massachusetts Parenting Plan Attorneys
Child custody can be one of the most contentious matters in divorce. Parents can get involved in lengthy custody disputes that only serve to make their children miserable and cost a lot of money. At the Worcester office of The Massachusetts Family Law Group (MFLG), our attorneys help parents resolve child custody disputes — either in court or through negotiation.
With so Many Choices, Why Choose Us?
There are many Worcester County divorce and family law attorneys, but few really concentrate on Probate and Family Court matters day in and day out. Fewer still bring real-world experience as Guardians Ad Litem, court appointed custody evaluators or prior work experience at the Department of Revenue. Our lawyers help clients identify their goals and fight attempts by the other parent to alienate the child and influence a custody decision.
What Is Child Custody, Anyway?
Child custody is the term used to describe where the children will live and how they will split their time with their parents. Custody is determined by a Worcester County Probate and Family Court judge who uses "the best interests of the child" standard to arrive at a decision.
Considerations in Custody Decisions
Issues that the judge considers when determining who gets the children include:
- The current residence of the child and the overall effects of changing the residence
- The relationship between the parents and the child
- The care or concern delivered by each parent
- Emotional and financial stability of the parents
- How each parent treats the other
- Instances of domestic violence, drug or alcohol-related problems (in the home)
- Expressed desires of the (older) child
Child Custody Options
Today, there are several different custody arrangements in Massachusetts; clients may also use some combination of arrangements if that is what is needed to help children adjust and thrive.
The court determines both legal custody (who makes decisions for the child) and physical custody (where the child lives). Although people still call such matters child custody, judges in the Worcester area use the term parenting plan to describe the details of where a child lives and how decisions are to be made.
Elements of a Creative Parenting Plan
Whether you are going through a divorce, have never been married or are involved in a modification proceeding, our attorneys will encourage you to work cooperatively to find an agreement that enhances your relationship with your child.
We suggest detail-oriented parenting plans that include a variety of components such as a schedule of when the children will be with each parent, what happens on birthdays and holidays, who provides transportation for visitation, education and religious decisions, extracurricular activities the child will participate in and who pays for them, sleeping arrangements, etc. The best plans also include holiday and vacation schedules (which may rotate on odd- and even-numbered years).
The Most Important Factor in Hiring a Child Custody Attorney
A mature attorney who has had the experience of raising children and dealing with disciplinary issues is at an advantage when it comes to working with the dynamics of divorce court and custody litigation. A younger, new lawyer may not have as much experience in working with custody and child-related issues such as raising a teenager. Therefore, when a case involving a teenager is presented to the judge, the attorney having experienced raising a teenager will have more influence on the judge.
Our Team of Experienced Worcester Attorneys Focus on Divorce and Custody Matters
The Massachusetts Family Law Group is a team of aggressive and well-coordinated attorneys who put the needs of children first. Many of our attorneys are divorced parents themselves — most are single parents — and we can speak from first-hand experience about what it takes, how to proceed and the specific steps to take when it comes to protecting your children.
Learn how to protect your family at a FREE, no obligation consultation.
Call (800) 970-LAWYER, or contact us online to schedule a FREE, no obligation consultation.
