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Child Custody

Award-Winning Legal Representation

St. Charles Child Custody Attorney

Offering Legal Guidance To Parents Facing Child Custody Battles Throughout Charles County, Missouri

If you share children with your spouse and are in the midst of a divorce, child custody matters may be at the front of your discussions. It can be incredibly emotional and terrifying to think that you may lose your place as a parent due to the divorce.

Get in touch with Smith Law Offices, LLC for an evaluation of your case. Our St. Charles child custody lawyers can help.

Do I Really Need A Lawyer For Child Custody?

Although you do not need an attorney for child custody, there will be a battle for what your spouse believes is reasonable and ideal for their child. Financially speaking, lawyers can cost less in the long run because they can avoid any mistakes in the process, and, the general process goes much faster.

Reasons To Choose Saint Charles Child Custody Lawyers Smith Law Offices, LLC

  • Over Two Decades Of Combined Experience
  • Fluent In Russian, French, English & Spanish
  • Promptly Reply To All Emails & Phone Calls
  • Award-Winning Legal Representation
  • We’re Locally-Owned & Family-Run
  • We Have An Exceptional Track Record Of Success

A child custody lawyer in St. Charles, MO from Smith Law Offices, LLC comes in - to protect you and ensure your rights are not taken away. It is very important that you hire a lawyer to represent you and not attempt to deal with issues of child custody on your own.

With over 50 years of combined experience and an expanse of knowledge in the area of family law, our St. Charles MO child custody attorneys are qualified to represent you both in and out of court. We take the time to investigate all of the details in each case we take on and work diligently to protect our clients’ rights.

Our team understands just how sensitive these matters are and you can rely on us to handle your case with the respect and compassion it deserves.

How Is Child Custody Determined in Missouri?

Child custody in St. Charles, Missouri is always based on the best interests of the child. This typically means providing the opportunity for the child to develop a meaningful relationship with both parents.

A few of the factors which may influence a child custody decision include:

  • If there is a current custody agreement in place
  • How many children are involved
  • What the relationship is between the child and each parent
  • If the child has any preference on who they want to live with
  • What each parent’s home environment is like
  • Which parent’s home provides more stability for the child

Understanding Your Child Custody Options

When it comes to child custody, it's important to understand the different options available to you as a parent. Whether you're going through a divorce or facing a custody battle, knowing your rights and the various types of custody arrangements can help you make informed decisions about your child's future.

Types of child custody arrangements in Missouri include:

  • Joint physical custody
  • Sole physical custody
  • Joint legal custody
  • Sole legal custody

Our experienced St. Charles child custody attorneys at Smith Law Offices, LLC can provide personalized legal guidance to help you navigate the complexities of child custody laws in St. Charles County. We can assess your unique situation and advocate for the best interests of you and your child.

Understanding the Different Types of Child Custody

Navigating child custody can be complex, and understanding the various types of custody arrangements is crucial for making informed decisions. At Smith Law Offices, LLC, we believe that knowledge is power when it comes to protecting your child's best interests.

Here’s a brief overview of the different types of child custody you may encounter:

  • Legal Custody: This refers to the right to make important decisions about your child's upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religious practices. Parents can share legal custody (joint legal custody) or one parent can hold sole legal custody.
  • Physical Custody: This determines where the child will live and which parent will be responsible for day-to-day care. Similar to legal custody, physical custody can be joint (shared living arrangements) or sole (the child lives primarily with one parent).
  • Joint Custody: In joint custody arrangements, both parents share legal and/or physical custody. This arrangement encourages collaboration and communication between parents, fostering a supportive environment for the child.
  • Sole Custody: When one parent is granted sole custody, they have both legal and physical custody of the child. This arrangement is typically pursued when it’s in the best interest of the child due to circumstances such as safety concerns.

Understanding these types of custody can help you better prepare for discussions and negotiations during your custody case. Our experienced attorneys at Smith Law Offices, LLC are here to guide you through each step of the process, ensuring that you advocate effectively for your child's future.

Is Missouri a Father State or Mother State?

Missouri is not a father state or a mother state; the court operates under the belief that having a relationship with both parents is in the child's best interest. Indicating there is no particular preference given to either a mother or father.

Who Has Legal Custody of a Child When the Parents Are Not Married in Missouri?

When a child is born to unmarried parents in Missouri, the mother has custody until paternity has been established via a paternity test and a judgment by the court. Once the paternity judgment has been granted, a parenting plan is established giving the father rights to access and decision-making concerning the child.

Call An Experience St. Charles Child Custody Attorney Today

Our St. Charles custody lawyers understand how to navigate child custody matters to work towards a positive outcome. Receiving the Client Distinction Award from 2013-2015 from Martindale-Hubbell®, Attorney Nevada Smith has demonstrated a history of exemplary client service throughout his years in practice.

Together with his wife, Attorney Monica Smith, they understand the importance of creating an agreeable custody agreement that is beneficial for all parties. Your priorities as our client, should you retain our firm, will always be our focus as we fight to protect your best interests and that of your children.

If you would like to meet with a St. Charles child custody lawyer from our firm to discuss your child custody matter, call our office at (636) 400-1177 for a complimentary case consultation.

Our Recognitions

Why Hire Smith Law Offices, LLC
  • Well Respected by Colleagues
  • Family-Run & Locally Owned Law Firm
  • Award-Winning Legal Representation
  • We Speak Spanish, French & Russian
  • Providing One-On-One Attention
  • More Than 50 Years of Combined Legal Experience
Contact Us Today

Please Read: The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of this firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential and/or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

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