Mother’s Custody Rights Lawyer

If you are a mother going through a divorce in Johnson County, NC, you shouldn’t assume that the court will grant you custody just because you are a mom. Today, it is more common than ever before for mothers to focus on their careers, requiring long hours at work; therefore, there is a growing trend of custody being awarded to fathers in many divorce cases.

To ensure that your rights are upheld by the court, it’s essential that you consult a mother’s custody rights lawyer from Breeden Law Office immediately. Experienced North Carolina child custody attorney Jonathan Breeden will work tirelessly so that your divorce does not damage your relationship with your child.

Call (919) 661-4970 today to schedule a consultation.

Who Has the Right to Custody in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, both the mother and father have equal rights to custody of their child until a written agreement or court order has been finalized. When a court decides which parent should have custody of a child, they will base their decision on the “best interests of the child”. Although no preference is given to the mother or father in the state, courts will take a number of factors into consideration including:

• The child’s routine
• The parent’s ability to meet the physical, mental, emotional, and moral needs of the child
• The lifestyle and behaviors of the parent
• The ability of the parent to provide for the child
• The emotional connection between the child and parent
• The child’s personal preference if he or she is age 12 or older

Sometimes, the court will seek testimony from family members, teachers, and mental health professionals that can provide them with insight on any of the factors mentioned above. If you go to court, it is in your judge’s discretion to determine what custodial arrangement is in your child’s best interest.

Types of Custody in North Carolina

There are four types of custody in North Carolina. Legal custody gives a parent the right to make significant decisions regarding the health, education, or religious affiliation of their child while physical custody establishes where the child will live. There is also joint custody which is where both the mother and father have shared legal custody of a child and sole custody where only one parent has legal custody of a child.

Is Court Always Necessary for Child Custody Cases?

The majority of the time, the goal is to avoid court in child custody cases. Since North Carolina law focuses on the “best interests of the child,” a meditation before trial is often required. Meditation allows for both the mother and father to communicate and come to an agreement on the custody of their child. It is less nerve-wracking than a court proceeding and fosters a civil and cooperative environment. In the event that meditation does not lead to an agreement, the case will go to trial and a judge will make a decision.

Why Hire a Mother’s Custody Rights Lawyer?

If you’d like to establish custody or visitation of your child or are unhappy with your current custody arrangement, you owe it to yourself to contact a mother’s custody rights lawyer from Breeden Law Office. Attorney Jonathan Breeden has over 15 years of experience helping mothers obtain custody or visitation of their children. He understands the emotional challenges you are currently facing and will pair compassion with aggressive representation to increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in your divorce case. By working with him, you can protect your rights as well as your child’s.