Child Custody Attorneys Florence KY

Assessing Your Child’s Needs

Child custody issues are typically the most difficult issue to manage in family law. Custody is frequently contested, and many times difficult to resolve by agreement. It is important that your attorney possesses the skills, compassion and understanding to navigate through this delicate and sensitive area. The lawyers at Hoffman Walker & Knauf are all trained in the area of divorce, child custody and child support.

The ultimate goal of a custody case is to act in the best interest of your child. While both parents often want to retain custody, it is important to make sure that your child is living with the parent that will provide him or her with the most supportive, caring and nurturing environment.

A well-crafted custody agreement will strike an appropriate balance so that each parent continues to have a meaningful impact on the child’s life. When the parties cannot agree, it is the court’s responsibility to find this balance, so long as both parties are appropriate care-givers. Otherwise, the court will order parenting arrangements as it finds appropriate based upon the facts that are presented to the court.

child custody attorney

Factors Influencing Child Custody In Kentucky

The goal of every custody case is to accommodate the best interest of the child. When evaluating which parent will provide your child with the most nurturing and stable environment, the courts consider the following factors of KRS 403.270:

  • The wishes of the child’s parent or parents, and any de facto custodian, as to his custody;
  • The wishes of the child as to his custodian;
  • The interaction and interrelationship of the child with his parent or parents, his siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s best interests;
  • The child’s adjustment to his home, school, and community;
  • The mental and physical health of all individuals involved;
  • Information, records and evidence of domestic violence as defined in KRS 403.720;
  • The extent to which the child has been cared for, nurtured, and supported by any de facto custodian;
  • The intent of the parent or parents in placing the child with a de facto custodian; and
  • The circumstances under which the child was placed or allowed to remain in the custody of a de facto custodian.

Hoffman Walker & Knauf can help with Kentucky Laws On Child Dependency, Neglect And Abuse And Emergency Child Custody

The attorneys at Hoffman Walker & Knauf have the knowledge and experience to help if you’ve been charged with child dependency, neglect or abuse, or if you believe that such charges should be brought against someone. Hoffman Walker & Knauf handle Kentucky cases involving:

  • Emergency Custody Orders
  • Child Dependency, Neglect and Abuse

Please contact Northern Kentucky child custody attorneys Hoffman Walker & Knauf, serving Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant and Kenton counties in Kentucky, today to schedule an appointment.

Types Of Child Custody

The word “custody” is used interchangeably to denote two types of parental “rights”:

  • Legal Decision-making rights: This custody right determines which parent(s) will be responsible for decisions regarding your child’s lifestyle and daily care. One or both parents may have legal custody of the children, which can be ordered as “sole” or “joint”. Some of the issues handled by the legal custodian include educational, medical and religious decisions.
  • Physical parenting time: This custody right details where the child will live and at what times. There are several types of physical parenting arrangements. In rare cases, one parent will have sole physical custody, while the other has visitation rights.

Generally, joint custody is granted in a time-sharing schedule where the child lives with each parent for a portion of the time. In many cases, the parents have equal time-sharing with both parents. Less frequently in recent years, a more traditional schedule is ordered where the child is with one parent a majority of the time. In either case, one of the parents may be named the “primary residential parent”. This term bears significance when it comes to school registration and in the event, either party desires to relocate with the children.

Hoffman Walker & Knauf Lawyers Understand The Fears Involved With Kentucky Laws On Child Custody

The attorneys at Hoffman Walker & Knauf understand the fears parents have in releasing their children to the “new person” or the “family you haven’t met”. We empathize with your feelings of anxiety in wanting to protect your child, and helplessness when it seems your decision-making is being stripped away by the Courts and your “ex”. We will keep your child’s best interest at heart in every move we make in your case and will discuss every decision with you so that you are part of your child’s future. When a custody issue gets bitter and emotional, it is easy to lose sight of the needs of your children. It is important to have an attorney who will help make sure your child’s interests are protected. At Hoffman Walker & Knauf, we strive to protect your child’s interests and your relationship with your child.

We handle Kentucky custody cases involving:

  • Parenting/visitation schedules
  • Child support
  • Fathers’ rights
  • Grandparents’ rights
  • Domestic violence
  • Child Protection