We Take Justice to Heart
Gary Divorce understands how trying a divorce can become. We want to help you make the best choices, the right choices for you and the ones you love.
Through our online and in person services, we are committed to help you obtain the outcomes you want and need in order to move forward with your life plans and goals. Ideally, we would like to help you move through a peaceful and rational divorce process. Although this doesn’t always end up being the case, we will give you our very best so you can work towards a healthy, sustainable future.
Our priorities are your priorities.
Your Family is Our Priority
Many parents come to us concerned for their child’s well-being and stability during a tumultuous time of divorce. Child custody is probably the most sensitive aspect of any divorce proceedings. Over the years, we have learned how to navigate these delicate matters with both legal authority and sensitivity.
When you are uncertain about the future of you and your children, it can feel overwhelming and you might not know which choice is the best to make. This is common, and you are not alone. We are available and committed to help you navigate through each challenging decision. We want to provide you with the necessary tools, resources, and support you need from start to finish.
Parental Responsibilities
Our first suggestion is to familiarize yourself with up-to-date child custody laws and regulations in your specific state. These vary depending on your location. Rule of thumb – the more you know, the better off you and your child will be when it comes time to make decisions around custody and financial support. From establishing primary residence to knowing your paternal rights, our team at Gary Divorce is ready to advise, assist, and advocate on behalf of you and your child.
Depending on the specifics of your situation, you have the option to work with our mediators who will collaborate with you and your partner to find a common ground between both parents. Decisions settled outside of court are often products of amicable relations and peaceful solutions. These are also less straining on your time and financial output, where mediators work to relieve you of obligatory court hearings.
Make Informed Decisions for Your Child
Child custody is a legal term used to refer to the legal rights and responsibilities owed to a child or children in the cases of marriage, adoption, separation, or divorce. When parents are married, they both have custody of their children. If they choose to separate or divorce, the child then enters into a shared or sole custodial system under one or both separated parents.
Most of the time, these decisions are finalized in court. However, in some cases, it is possible to settle these matters outside of court. Depending on which parent is awarded custody will determine the child’s primary residence and who will be paying child support. The health and well-being of a child is taken very seriously inside and outside of the courtroom.
Every court system assesses and determines child custody a little different. However, many of them examine similar factors. Courts want to ensure that the children are given the best situation and opportunities possible. They understand divorce is stressful on a family, not just for the parents but also for the children. Separating parents and their household can impact a child in ways not completely visible on the surface. Which is why it is so important to know how to make the best choices for them. The court room will consider your income and stability of your lifestyle to determine if you can continue providing your children an adequate and stable standard of living. During this process, they will also determine if you qualify for child support and how much you are responsible to manage for the child or pay to the other parent.
Many parents are not satisfied with the initial conditions of child custody settlements. In these situations it is possible to file for an agreement modification where one of our legal staff can work with you to find an ideal outcome. We will explore any and all options available to you together. In many cases, it is possible to alter agreements in court. In other cases, it is also possible to work with our mediators to resolve conflicts outside of court, saving you time and money.
The court determines visitation rights at the time of your divorce settlements. One parent will be designated as the primary custodial parent, who will hold rights to the primary residence and child support funding. The secondary custodial parent is granted visitation rights, where the specifics are decided based on work and school scheduling of all parties to establish a fair and reasonable time allotment between parents while maintaining stability for the child.
If you win primary custody of your children, you are legally responsible to manage child support and funding for your child. This means that the other parent is responsible to pay you a percentage of their income that is dedicated to living, health, and educational expenses for the child. The more children you share with your partner, the more child support you will receive. The specific amount is determined slightly differently in each jurisdiction.
Many parents can divorce more amicably than others. This allows them to pursue an agreement outside of court. You need to ensure that you trust your partner if you decide to follow through using simply verbal or written agreements. Using this method is the product of a peaceful and rational relationship, however there will be fewer legal protections in place to safeguard you if they change their mind. The court will examine the shared agreement you reached together. They will ensure the children’s best interests are upheld and respected. If the court does not approve of something in the agreement, they will propose a suitable alternative that you will be compelled to follow by law.
Where to Start
Going through a divorce is often stressful and emotionally, not to mention financially draining. It is dire that you have proper legal counsel to advise, mediate, and guide you through each decision you have to make for yourself and your children. We assure you, you are never alone. We work efficiently and effectively, but also handle each case with the care and sensitivity it deserves. Our years of experience in family law will offer you the optimal guidance and customized advice for your unique situation.