Cumberland County/Fort Bragg Area Visitation Attorneys
North Carolina does not apply a presumption based on the sex of the parent in for child custody matters, instead the state initially views both parents equally. The courts follow the best interest of the children standard for custody and custody-related matters to help ensure relationships remain intact and beneficial for both parents and the children.
At Hedahl & Radtke Family Law Center, our Fayetteville child custody attorneys understand the complex legal issues associated with custody and visitation. Our legal team is directed by lawyers Joan E. Hedahl and Debra J. Radtke, who are both Board Certified Family Law Specialists with more than 30 years of experience handling family law matters. We will discuss your situation, including the outcome you would like to see happen. With your goals in mind, we will tailor our representation to your unique situation.
There are two types of custody: physical and legal. Physical custody outlines where a child will reside, while legal custody determines how the parents will make decisions about their child's education, religion and medical care. In most situations, courts award joint physical and legal custody because it is in the child's best interest to have continuing relationships with both parents. However, joint custody is not a 50/50 split between both parents. It is important to consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your situation to find the best custody arrangement for your children.
Visitation and Relocation Issues
In North Carolina, there is no set or recommended schedule that the courts use to determine visitation. As skilled mediators and attorneys, we encourage our clients to work with the other party to develop a parenting time sharing agreement and getting it approved by the court. In contested situations, Judges base their recommendations on several factors, including the age of the child, the distance between both parents, and the unique characteristics of the child, the physical and mental health of all parties, and dozens of other small bits of information.
Preparing and presenting a custody cases is much like putting together a jigsaw puzzle or a mosaic to show the Judge the picture that is most favorable to you and most beneficial for your child(ren).
There is no state statute on move-away situations. You do not need the other parent's permission unless it is required by a prior court order or Separation Agreement. The courts follow the best interest of the child standard and will allow a move if it benefits the child. However, if a parent shows bad faith, or is trying to move the children away to limit the other parent's time with the children, a motion can be filed to change the custody order.
We have extensive experience representing parents involved in child custody matters, including both active and retired members of the military. Our more than 30 years of military custody experience enables us to address your issues effectively to help you achieve your goals.
Cumberland County Custody Mediation
In Cumberland County, individuals going through a court case involving custody face mandatory mediation for child custody disputes. Our court mediation office providing mediation services for custody at no charge. We understand that mediation can help you gain control over the outcome of your dispute, without having a judge decide the matter. Our attorneys help you prepare for this court custody mediation and review the proposed parenting agreement with you after the mediation.
Additionally, Cumberland County has a supervised visitation center which is used to enable parents to re-establish contact with their children, or to provide a neutral zone to visit if there are safety concerns. In situations involving drama or hostility, parents may be ordered to have supervised visitation exchanges without having supervised visitation.
Contact Us Today
From our office in Fayetteville, North Carolina, we provide diligent family law representation for individuals throughout Cumberland County, including military personnel or their spouses stationed here, overseas, or at another post with cases in Cumberland County. To talk to an attorney about your situation, call us today at 910-401-2148. For our clients' convenience, we also accept e-mails.
