St Louis Child Custody Lawyers

Protecting the Rights of Parents in Child Custody Cases

When you get divorced or are not in a relationship with your child’s other parent, Missouri courts will require you to settle how you will share custody of your children. In some situations, parents can cooperate and agree on an arrangement that works for everyone involved. On the other hand, some parents will battle over custody issues until the bitter end. In either situation, you should always have the counsel and assistance of an experienced St. Louis custody attorney.

Your relationship with your children and your parental rights are too important to not have the highest quality of legal representation during your custody case. Please do not wait to call the J. Rench Law Firm if you are facing a custody case in or around the St. Louis area.

Child Custody in Missouri

There are two main types of child custody that must be established:

All custody decisions are based on the same standard - what is in the best interests of the child? Missouri law presumes that it is in a child best interests to have frequent and meaningful contact with both parents, as well as to have both parents participate in decisions for the child’s welfare. Courts will usually only consider sole custody in cases involving abandonment, possible endangerment, or other serious issues.

When parents have joint custody, they will need to decide how to divide time spent with the child and decision-making responsibilities. This will be laid out in a detailed parenting plan, and you should have the help of a knowledgeable custody lawyer during this process.

Custody Mediation

When parents do not automatically agree on custody division, it does not mean you have to march into court. There are other options to help facilitate cooperation and compromise, including mediation. Reaching a mediation agreement not only saves the time, cost, and stress of going to trial, but it can also result in a more agreeable solution for the parents. This can lead to healthier co-parenting, which is always better for the child.

In the event that mediation and other negotiation efforts do not work, you want a lawyer handling your case who has the litigation experience necessary to protect your parental rights in court.

Discuss Your Situation with a Child Custody Attorney in St. Louis Today

The J. Rench Law Firm helps many parents resolve custody matters both in and out of court. We aim for the most efficient and effective resolution and use mediation frequently to the benefit of our clients. Call 314-725-4000 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.