Ontario Child Custody Lawyer

To make this difficult legal process as smooth and painless as possible, work with an experienced Ontario child custody attorney.

Child custody issues may be the most difficult aspect of separating from or divorcing your spouse. It’s likely that both parents want to spend as much time with the children as possible. The situation is sure to be an emotional one, but the most important thing to keep in mind when handling child custody disputes is the best interests of the child.

Often, disputes regarding legal custody, physical custody, and child support payments can cause people to lose sight of what’s really important. By hiring an Ontario child custody lawyer with our office, you can establish and make clear your child custody goals, and we can ensure that the child’s interests come first in your case.

The Child Custody Process in California

Some couples are able to work out custody of their children on their own without ever going to court. This is great when it works out that way, but it doesn’t always. Many people don’t agree on a parenting plan, so they must go to court or mediation to come up with an agreement both parents can live with.

The first step in the child custody process is writing a parenting plan, which should include detailed information on parenting time for each parent. You can work out a fifty-fifty shared custody plan, or you can work out a schedule in which one parent has primary custody and the other parent has parenting time, also known as visitation.

If you and the other parent can’t agree on this parenting plan, that’s the point where one of you will file a custody order with the court, usually with the help of your child custody attorney in Ontario. Once the order is filed, the court requires both parties to attend mediation before a hearing can be set.

Factors the Judge Considers

After mediation, it’s hoped that both parties have been able to come to an agreement, at which point the judge can order that the parenting plan be put into place. If you still haven’t been able to agree, the judge will be forced to make the decision for you.

Here are some of the factors the court will consider when determining custody and visitation:

• The age of the children
• The emotional ties between the parents and children (bonding)
• The ability of the parents to care for the children
• Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse issues
• The children’s ties to home, school, and community

After the judge makes a decision regarding a custody order in Ontario, both parties must follow the order. It’s important to note that custody orders can be modified, and that is something your family law attorney can help you with.

Speak with an Ontario Child Custody Attorney

Divorces are often messy and emotional experiences, but when you work with the right family attorney, you can gain a sense of calm from knowing that your interests and those of your child are being looked after.

An Ontario child custody lawyer from the Law Office of Laurence J. Brock will help you get through this difficult time. We offer a free consultation when you call 909-466-7661 or complete the contact form below, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.