Modifications to Child Custody
Baton Rouge Child Custody Attorney
Nothing in life ever stays the same and sometimes an arrangement that was once workable, is no longer appropriate to the current situation. You may have a situation where a child custody agreement may have been perfect for all parties involved at one time; however, one of life's little surprises came along and has made it necessary to make changes. People can lose their job, find it necessary to move for one reason or another, or have medical issues that pop up without warning.
When life throws a curve ball and you find it necessary to change an existing child custody agreement, contact an attorney experience in family law matters to get this process started. At The Layfield Law Firm, Beau Layfield is dedicated to helping families through these complicated and often difficult times. Beau is committed to do whatever he can to help make this process go as smoothly as possible.
After a divorce is finalized and all the decisions are made, it can feel like all the dust has settled, which can result in divorced couples getting comfortable with each other and making small adjustments to custody agreements. When everyone is getting along, it may feel unnecessary to go through the hassle of making these changes official through the appropriate legal channels.
This situation works fine until old wounds are opened and tempers flare. Even though one party may have thought the relationship was relaxed and friendly, that party may suddenly be faced with an angry ex-spouse threatening to go to court for violating a child custody agreement.
Regardless of whether you and your ex-partner are usually the type of couple to work out issues agreeably on your own or the type that can't be in the same room together, it's a better option to seek legal counsel when modifying child custody agreements. By working with Beau, you will get the benefit of his plentiful experience in helping other parents in your situation. Contact our firm today!
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At The Layfield Law Firm, LLC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"Beau always responded quickly to my questions, sometimes patiently just listened while I vented."As a business owner trying to juggle responsibilities with my clients and in my business, it was important to find someone who understood the value of my time while helping me navigate me through a difficult divorce.- Former Client
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"I'm blessed to have had Mr. Beau Layfield representing me throughout my divorce process."I contacted him initially because The Layfield Law Firm website specifically listed "uncontested divorce" within the areas of practice.- Former Client
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"Beau listened to my concerns and helped me come up with a strategy that worked best for my situation."During this process, there were times when I became so frustrated that I wanted to give up. Beau always brought me back to reality and made suggestions to assist with my concerns.- Former Client
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"After meeting with three attorneys about my case I choose the Layfield Law Firm."Hopefully I won't need a lawyer in the future, but if I do, I am calling Mr Layfield.- Former Client
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 225-283-1374 today!
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Do I have to go to court in order to obtain a divorce?
Filing divorce papers with a court is the only way you will obtain a legal separation from your spouse. This applies to any other form of legal separation, including a marriage annulment. Aside from the divorce decree itself, a court is able to assist in settling other matters related to divorce, which include child custody and the distribution of marital assets.
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How long will the divorce process take?
The length of your divorce proceedings will depend on different factors, which include how long it takes to serve divorce papers to your spouse, whether your spouse is willing to waive their rights to service and notice of trial, whether you have minor children from the marriage and legal delays. Typically, it will take 20 to 40 days to receive a divorce judgment from the court after papers have been served. If your spouse decides to waive his or her rights to service and notice of trial, the judgment can come swiftly. It is important to note that a judgment does not become finalized until the 30-day "appeals" window has ended.
Another important point to note is that you must be living separately from your spouse for six months (or longer if there are minor children from the marriage) before being able to file a petition, unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as your spouse committed a felony. Securing an attorney for legal representation may result in your divorce process being resolved much faster than you attempting to navigate the proceedings on your own.
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Isn't divorce expensive?
A contested divorce can get expensive due to the necessity to attend trial, and document the case to present in court. Those who can work out their agreements prior to court and settle them with negotiations can not only save a lot of money, they avoid the serious stress of a court trial and exposing your personal business in court. In either case, I will help you bring the issue to a resolution with the least amount of stress, whether in a contested or uncontested divorce. I make every effort to make my services affordable so that you can have high quality legal counsel to support your case.
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Is adoption a long process?
Each adopted child has different circumstances. There are several types of adoptions that could take place, including a stepparent adoption, a private adoption or a standard adoption. Each has its own specific challenges. With the help of my firm, we will speed the process through the system as quickly as we can so that you can begin your new family and move forward with starting life together.
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How will child support be calculated?Child support is calculated differently depending on the state one resides in, but the general factors taken into consideration by the court when calculating payments include:
- the standard of living of the child prior to the divorce;
- the ability to pay of the parent giving child support;
- the specific needs of the child, including their food, clothing, and educational costs; and
- the needs and income of the custodial parent (the parent with primary custody of the child).