Fairhope Child Custody Lawyer
If you are filing for child custody for the first time or need to amend a child custody order, Fairhope child custody lawyer Michael Pylant can help.
When going through a divorce or separation, one of the most important and sometimes difficult decisions you will make is in regard to child custody. When a couple is not in agreement, deciding on a child’s custody can be an emotional and stressful time. Choosing the right family law attorney is a critical step in relieving some of the burden and pressure of ensuring the well-being of your children. If you have questions about a child custody case in Baldwin County, Mobile County, or Escambia County, Alabama, our Fairhope family law firm can help. Contact our law office at (251) 455-1730 to get your case started!
At the law firm of Michael A. Pylant, P.C. we will provide personal attention and dedication to achieving the desired objectives of your case. If you are facing difficult decisions regarding the wellbeing of your children, you want to make sure that you have an attorney that will diligently work to provide the best outcome for your family. Attorney Michael Pylant is an experienced negotiator and has helped many parents, grandparents, and families with their child custody and child support cases over the years. Don’t go through this difficult time alone. Contact our law office today to schedule your consultation.
We handle child custody and child support cases throughout the Gulf Coast and Eastern Shore, including the following cities in Baldwin County, Mobile County, and Escambia County, Alabama: Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Bay Minette, Silverhill, Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Robertsdale, Loxley, Elberta, Atmore, Brewton, Saraland, and Mobile.
Child Custody – Family Law Cases
Fairhope child custody lawyer, Michael Pylant routinely handles family law cases involving:
- Child custody, legal and physical
- Child support
- Changes to child custody
- Changes to child support
- Modifications to child custody orders
- Child support in arrears
- Timesharing
- Temporary custody
- Grandparent’s custody right
- Termination of parental rights
- Child visitation
- Paternity
- Guardianship
- Relocation
Legal vs Physical Child Custody in Alabama
In Alabama, legal custody describes the parent’s rights and responsibilities regarding a child’s upbringing including, but not limited to, religious upbringing, education, and medical needs. Physical custody is the legal term describing the amount of time each parent is granted with the child.
Joint vs Sole Child Custody in Alabama
With joint custody, both parents receive equal rights regarding legal custody and physical custody of the child. With joint legal custody, both parents share the responsibility of making decisions regarding the child’s general welfare but may not have equal rights regarding physical custody.
With joint physical custody, time spent with the child is specified to guarantee that each parent receives frequent contact with the child. Depending on the situation, this could mean one week on and one week off with the mother or father or a variation with weekdays and weekends split between the two parents. Joint physical custody does not mean that each parent will receive the same amount of time spent with the child.
With sole legal custody, one parent is granted the right to make decisions regarding the major responsibilities involved in the upbringing of the child. These decisions might include the child’s health, education, religious upbringing, etc.
With sole physical custody, one parent has sole physical custody while the other parent may or may not have any visitation rights.
How do I gain sole custody of my child?
When determining legal or physical custody of the child, the main goal of the court is to look after the best interest of the child. Regardless of if you are the mother or father, both parents have equal rights to the child in the eyes of the court. Sole physical custody is only granted in cases where one parent is proved to be unfit by the court system. Reasons a parent might be deemed unfit include, but are not limited to, an issue with drugs or alcohol abuse, domestic violence, child abuse or any other matter that affects the wellbeing of the child.
Guardianship Lawyer in Baldwin County
A legal guardianship in Alabama is the procedure by which an adult is appointed by the courts to be responsible for a minor child. This may occur if the child’s parents pass away or are deemed unfit as parents by the court system. Typically, legal guardians have some sort of relationship with the child or individual such as a family member, close friend, or someone in close relationship with the child or individual. Unlike with adoption, when the minor child turns nineteen years of age, the guardianship is terminated.
Responsibilities of a Child Guardian in Alabama
Once an individual becomes a guardian, the following are some of the responsibilities regarding the child:
- Financial support to cover the child’s food, clothing, and shelter
- Housing
- Education
- Health care
- Dental care
If you have questions regarding the current guardianship of a child or are interested in becoming a guardian for a child, an experienced family law attorney can help. Contact our office today to explore the process of becoming a guardian in Alabama.
Baldwin County Child Custody Attorney
We are dedicated to providing the best representation for your case. It is important that the family law attorney you select will be diligent in fighting for the best outcome for you and your family. If you have a child custody case in Baldwin County, Mobile County or Escambia County, Alabama, lawyer Michael Pylant will personally review the facts of your case and provide expert guidance during this process. If you would like to set up a consultation with an experienced family law attorney, call Michael A. Pylant, P.C. at (251) 455-1730.