A Skilled Attorney Guiding You In Child Custody
During a divorce involving people with children, having an experienced child custody attorney in Lafayette, LA to assist with custody matters and visitation along with support come to the forefront. Will a joint-custody arrangement be possible among bickering couples? How much visitation will the non-custodial parent get? And who will gain the most through a child support agreement?
Such important issues must be addressed and resolved. An experienced child custody attorney in Lafayette, LA will provide the insight and guidance you need. The law firm of Richard D. Mere, LTD, in Lafayette, Louisiana, has been in practice for more than 30 years, led by attorney Richard D. Mere, his office has the legal and negotiation skills to help you achieve successful results.
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Seeking Resolutions In The Child’s Best Interest
If you’re searching for a “child custody attorney near me“, along with child support and visitation matters, then you should contact Richard D. Mere today. These issues focus on the most important result of the marriage: children. Resolution is essential with the children’s best interest in mind.
When it comes to addressing child custody in Lafayette, LA, Mr. Mere will negotiate long-term arrangements on your behalf. In advocating for you, he reviews the child’s needs, the relationships between the child and each parent, and even the child’s preference for where he or she wants to live. Then he will pursue a successful resolution.
Child support also is crucial. Raising a child can be costly, and the financial burden must be shared by each parent. Mr. Mere will advocate for you to secure the correct amount of child support in Lafayette, LA. He also will go after any deadbeat parent who ignores making court-ordered child support payments.
Legal matters involving child support and child custody/visitation require the skills of an experienced family law attorney. The law firm of Richard D. Mere, LTD, in Lafayette, Louisiana, always is client-focused and results-oriented. Mr. Mere understands the details of family law and how to advocate for his clients who have children. Contact his office or call 337-269-5555.
Richard D Mere, Child Custody Attorney in Lafayette, Louisiana
If you are looking for a child custody attorney in Lafayette, LA, look no further than Richard D. Mere. With over 30 years of experience in family law, Richard D. Mere is the perfect lawyer to help you navigate the complexities of child custody and child support. He is dedicated to providing compassionate and knowledgeable legal advice to his clients, and is committed to helping them achieve the best possible outcome. Richard D. Mere is a highly respected lawyer in Lafayette, and his experience in family law is unparalleled. He is committed to providing his clients with the highest quality legal representation, and will work tirelessly to ensure that their rights are protected.
When it comes to understanding child custody laws in Louisiana, it is important to have an experienced child custody attorney on your side. Richard D. Mere is a lawyer in Lafayette, LA who has extensive experience in child custody and child support cases. He is dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of the legal system. He understands the emotional and financial toll that a child custody case can take on a family, and he is committed to providing compassionate and knowledgeable legal counsel. With his help, you can rest assured that your case will be handled with the utmost care and attention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody in Lafayette, Louisiana
- What is child custody?
- Child custody is a legal term that refers to the rights and responsibilities of parents to make decisions and provide care for their children. It includes both physical custody, which is the right to have the child live with the parent, and legal custody, which is the right to make decisions about the child’s health, education, and welfare.
- What are the different types of child custody?
- Child custody consists of two parts, legal custody which determines decision making, and physical custody which is the amount of time the child spends with each parent. Under Louisiana law, joint custody with a named domiciliary parent is preferred. In order to obtain sole custody, the person must show that there is something significantly wrong with the other parent’s ability to make decisions such as substance abuse, significant mental health issues, or an extensive history of making poor decisions. The burden of proof for such a request for sole custody is high.
- Joint custody does not mean equal time with the minor child(ren). It means joint decision making by the parents. While the parents have the obligation to consult and confer with each other, and decisions by consensus are preferred, the domiciliary parent’s decisions are presumed to be in the best interest of the child, if the parties need a tie breaker. The non domiciliary parent has the right to go to court to contest the decisions made by the domiciliary parent.
- Typically, the domiciliary parent has the child with them most of the time. however, even if the parents are sharing physical custody equally, a domiciliary parent retains the same decision-making authority that he/she has under joint custody.
- What is the process for obtaining child custody in Louisiana?
- In Louisiana, the court considers 14 factors when determining child custody. Some of the most important factors concern the parent’s willingness to encourage a relationship between the child and the other parent, the mental health and capacity of the parents to properly care for the children, and if it exists, any history of domestic violence or substance abuse. The wishes of a child of sufficient age and maturity are considered when coming to this decision, but this is only 1 of 14 factors.
- Is there a specific age where the child can decide where they live?
- There is no specific age where the child’s interest becomes more important than any other factor. The court may interview the child to determine if they have enough maturity and understanding to make such important decisions. However, when a case goes before the court, the court is the ultimate decider as to the proper custodial arrangements for the minor child. Of greater interest to the court than the child’s preference are the reasons for the child’s preference. At times, a child can report the specific conditions in each of the homes that make them comfortable or uncomfortable. If the child cannot express why they want to live with a particular parent, there is often a strong inference that parents have been coaching the child as to what to say to the court or other experts.
- What are the benefits of working with a child custody attorney?
- Working with a child custody attorney can help ensure that your rights and interests are protected throughout the process. An experienced attorney can help you understand the law and your rights, negotiate a fair agreement, and represent you in court if necessary.
- What services does Richard D. Mere offer?
- Richard D. Mere offers a wide range of legal services related to child custody, including assistance with filing for custody, negotiating a custody agreement, and representing clients in court. He also offers assistance with child support, visitation rights, and other family law matters.
- What makes Richard D. Mere the best choice for my child custody case?
- Richard D. Mere is an experienced and knowledgeable child custody attorney who is dedicated to providing personalized and compassionate legal services. He has a deep understanding of Louisiana’s child custody laws and is committed to helping his clients achieve the best possible outcome in their case.
- How can I contact Richard D. Mere for more information?
- You can contact Richard D. Mere at (337) 269-5555
