Title: When to Use the Service of a Child Custody Lawyer?

The term child custody is, for the most part, no longer used when determining
where and with whom a minor child will live. A child is considered a minor from
birth to age l8 and any person beyond the age of l8 who is not able to care or
provide for themselves for physical, mental, or emotional reasons. The reason
has to be certified by medical or psychological professionals and does not
include a child just “not wanting to work or be on their own.”

Family Law, at least in Florida, does contain in its Statutes the exceptions to
using parental timesharing with a parenting plan. These exceptions include
when one or both parents are physically, mentally, or emotionally incapable to
caring for a minor child, when either or both are incarcerated, when either or
both have been convicted of child abuse or domestic violence, or when either or
both are proven alcoholics or drug users. In these cases, if one parent is proven
to be unacceptable, the other parent can be given sole custody. If both parents
are proven unacceptable, the minor child can be placed in a foster home or
custody given to a third party, such as a grandparent or approved guardian.

If you have a minor child who is or will be involved in parental timesharing and
you know for sure, with proof that this arrangement is unacceptable or unsafe
for any of the above reasons, it is time to seek the services of a Child Custody
Lawyer. He or she will able to review the evidence and help you determine if
indeed you have a valid case. A Child Custody Lawyer will know what type of
proof is needed and how best to go about presenting it to a judge. Most Family
Law courts lean heavily on trying to allow both parents to be equally involved
with the care and nurturing of their minor children, so the proof will need to be
substantial before a sole custody judgment is handed down. And, should the
situation be rectified in the future, the decision can be reversed by returning to
court for a Child Custody Modification.

While a person can represent themselves is a child custody hearing, it is not wise
to do so. There are so many tricky curves to handling such a case successfully; it
really does take an experienced Family Law or Child Custody lawyer to be
effective. Many lawyers offer a free, initial, in-office consultation where a person
can find out how best to proceed with trying to gain full custody or his or her
minor child. Check with friends, family, and the internet to find a Child Custody
Lawyer who can represent you based on where you live.