Compassionate Legal Guidance in Gillette & Newcastle, WY
Determining child custody in a divorce is often fraught with emotion—parents feel protective of their children and understandably want what is best for them. When spouses are unable to come to an agreement, child custody battles can quickly become a major source of stress. At 307 Law Office, our Gillette child custody lawyers understand the sensitive nature of assigning custody. Our former Of Counsel Attorney Dwight Hurich has helped the families in Gillette resolve their child custody issues for over 30 years. His comprehensive understanding of child custody laws, paperwork, proceedings, and judges allows us to provide effective legal services to all our clients. We have worked with many families to find personalized solutions that put the best interests of our clients and their children first. We know how important this matter is to you, which is why we offer compassionate guidance and objective legal counsel to help you navigate the process.
Need help with child custody matters? Contact our office at (307) 257-6368 today to schedule a free, in-person consultation with our attorneys.
How Child Custody is Determined
There are a number of different types of child custody arrangements. Depending on your situation, an experienced Gillette child custody attorney can help you determine which arrangement may be best for your child, yourself, and your family.
If you and the other parent are unable to come to an agreement, and alternative dispute resolution is not possible, litigation may be necessary. In such instances, the judge in your divorce proceedings will make a custody decision based on what they perceive to be in the best interests of the child/children. This may not necessarily be what you, or even the other parent, believe to be the best arrangement. Having a skilled attorney on your side can be invaluable in protecting the best interests of your child and your family.
What Factors are Considered in Child Custody Judgments?
When determining a child custody arrangement, the judge will look at a number of factors before making a judgment.
Under Wyoming Statute § 20-2-201, there are several factors the courts must look to when determining custody and visitation for children:
- How strong the relationship is between parent and child;
- How able each parent is to provide proper care for the child while in their custody, including arranging childcare as needed;
- The overall fitness and competence of each parent;
- The willingness of each parent to accept all responsibilities of parenting, such as being willing to abide by specified parenting schedules;
- The best way to strengthen and maintain the relationship between the child and each parent;
- The communication and interaction between the child and each parent, as well as how these interactions can be improved;
- How willing and able each parent is to respect the other’s rights and responsibilities in their parenting duties, including a right to privacy;
- The distance, geographically, between the two parents’ residences;
- How physically and mentally able each parent is to provide adequate childcare
- Whether either parent served as a primary caregiver during the marriage;
- The potential of splitting up siblings, step-siblings, or half-siblings; and
- Any of a number of other factors which the court may deem to be relevant and necessary.
There is a possibility that the family court judge will assign parenting classes to one or both parents as a condition of the child custody assignment. If domestic violence or child abuse has occurred, then it is possible that supervised visitation or no visitation at all will be assigned.
Fighting for Your Family’s Best Interests
At 307 Law Office, we understand that there is nothing more important to you than the welfare of your children. We work tirelessly to ensure that your children are safe and that their best interests are met, offering compassionate legal guidance and strong representation as we help you navigate the child custody process. No matter how complicated your situation may be, we are here to help you understand your options and move forward with your life.
If you’re dealing with a child custody issue, call us at (307) 257-6368 today. We offer free initial consultations and discounted rates for our legal services.