Custody/Visitation/Child Support

Matthews, North Carolina, Family Law Attorneys

Custody, Visitation, and Child Support

Nothing is more important than your relationship with your child(ren). At Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A., our lawyers never lose sight of that fact and provide sensitive and practical advice when guiding parents through the difficult process of divorce.

It is always best if, with the help of their lawyers, parents can work out terms of custody, visitation, and child support in a separation agreement prior to divorce, rather than relying on a judge—a stranger to the family—to make those decisions. By negotiating with your spouse, you also create a basis for on-going communication with your child's parent, rather than clouding that relationship with discord. Before going to court, parents may be required to attend parenting classes and mediation.

Whether you and your spouse have worked out a custody agreement, or a judge will determine terms of custody, our attorneys will demonstrate that your request is in the best interests of the child.

North Carolina family law: child custody and visitation

Physical custody: Physical custody refers to a child's primary residence and daily life. Generally, physical custody is awarded to the parent that has been the child's primary caretaker, although families work out a variety of arrangements.

Legal custody: Legal custody refers to a parent's right to be involved in major decisions, including those involving education, medical care, activities, and religion. Generally, legal custody is shared. Our attorneys find this is an area where there is some confusion. Unless there has been abuse of some kind, non-custodial parents have full rights to communicate with a child's teachers, access to school records, and the right to take a child to the doctor or see medical records.

Visitation: Visitation (sometimes referred to as parenting time) is a lesser form of physical custody. Our lawyers help parents work out visitation agreements that allow children to maintain strong relationships with both parents.

Child support in North Carolina

North Carolina child support guidelines are based on the incomes of both parents, childcare costs, and custody arrangements. Our attorneys will ask the court to vary from guidelines and grant a deviation if there is a special situation.

Post-decree modification, parental relocation

If there has been a substantial change in circumstances since your divorce, our attorneys will help you submit a motion to modify terms of support or custody. We represent custodial and non-custodial parents in motions to relocate out of state.

For more information about child custody, visitation, and child support, please see Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer? and our information center, Family Law in Depth.

If you are considering separation, or are already separated, and you would like to speak with a family law attorney, please call 704-246-3552 or e-mail our Matthews office to schedule a consultation. We serve clients throughout Mecklenburg and Union Counties. Our firm also assists businesses and individuals with transactions and litigation in other areas of law.

Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A.
Matthews, North Carolina, Attorneys