Practice Areas - Child Custody
Charlotte Child Custody Lawyers
Our experienced and empathetic family law attorneys offer tailored guidance to help families throughout North Carolina manage even the most challenging custody matters.
Our experienced and empathetic family law attorneys offer tailored guidance to NC families in the most challenging custody matters.
We recognize how emotionally difficult child custody disputes can be, and we are committed to protecting you and your child’s best interests. Our mission is to encourage healthy communication and reduce conflict, but when courtroom advocacy is required, we are prepared to stand by you.
Our child custody lawyers in Charlotte, North Carolina prioritize protecting your child's best interests, considering parental involvement, living arrangements, and decision-making authority.
Best Interests of the Child
North Carolina family law prioritizes the child’s best interest when it comes to child custody matters. This means that custody decisions are made based on what is believed to be most beneficial for the child involved.
No Presumption of Custody for Mothers
Contrary to common assumptions, North Carolina has no automatic presumption that custody should be awarded to the mother. It is widely recognized that unless a parent is deemed unfit, the involvement of both parents in a child’s life is generally considered to be in the child’s best interest.
The court evaluates various factors to determine the custody arrangement that best promotes the child’s welfare and interests.
Understanding Physical Custody
Physical custody refers to the child’s living arrangements and can take different forms. In some cases, the child may primarily reside with one parent (the custodial parent) and spend secondary time with the other parent (the noncustodial parent). This can involve weekend visitations or different schedules that suit the parents’ proximity. In other cases, the child may spend equal time with each parent.
Alternatives to Alternating Weekends
In situations where the parents live far apart, making an alternating weekend schedule impractical, the noncustodial parent may have less frequent but longer periods of time with the child during school breaks such as Thanksgiving, winter, spring, or summer break.
Understanding Legal Custody
Legal custody refers to decision-making authority. Generally, both parents can make day-to-day decisions for the child when they have physical custody. However, for major issues such as medical and health needs, education, extracurricular activities, and religion, the court may grant exclusive authority to one parent, assign authority for specific issues to a parent, or require parents to reach mutual agreements on such matters.
Factors Considered by the Court
When determining custody, the court considers several factors, including a history of domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, the ages and developmental levels of the children, the financial situations of both parents, and the environment of their respective homes. These factors help the court make a well-informed decision that prioritizes the child’s best interests.
What Are the Child Custody options in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, your child custody options include joint/shared custody, primary custody, and sole custody. Joint custody allows both parents to share responsibilities, whereas primary custody gives one parent primary responsibility while still maintaining meaningful rights for the non-custodial parent. Sole custody is fairly rare and grants one parent exclusive care, custody, and control. In all circumstances, custody can be broken down into two components: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody involves the right to make important decisions about the child’s welfare, while physical custody pertains to where the child lives. The court’s primary focus is always the child’s best interest when determining custody arrangements in North Carolina.
Why Choose Us as Your Child Custody Lawyer
Choosing Stallard & Bellof as your child custody attorneys ensures you receive compassionate and dedicated legal support. With over 30 years of combined experience in family law, our team provides personalized attention, strategic advocacy, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for you and your child. Our Charlotte child custody attorneys also represent clients in Gaston County, Cabarrus County, and Union County.