Massachusetts Child Custody and Visitation Issues
In some divorce cases, each parent has enough respect for the other's priorities and skill as a mother or father that child custody and parenting time can be worked out smoothly; in others, however, the resentment between the divorcing spouses can play out in the form of sharp disagreements as to primary custody or visitation arrangements. In a few cases, one parent's problems with substance abuse or family violence can present a serious barrier to maintaining sound relationships with the children on an unsupervised basis.
No matter what your family situation might involve, Boston divorce lawyer Thomas McKean has the experience and advocacy skills necessary to help you resolve child custody and visitation issues of all kinds. Contact his law firm for a free consultation about your legal alternatives.
The standard for resolving Massachusetts child custody and visitation disputes is the best interests of the children. In other words, the court's decision will emphasize the welfare of the children involved over the preferences of each parent. An experienced family law attorney can help you define your own objectives and parenting goals in terms of your child's long term interests and the legitimate concerns of the other parent. This approach not only stands the best chance of approval by the court, it will most often lead to negotiated arrangements on mutually acceptable terms that can keep the dispute out of court.
Boston divorce attorney Thomas McKean can also help parents whose past problems stand to interfere with their custody goals or even their ability to enjoy visitation with their children without supervision. He can give you a good idea of the community resources available for substance abuse treatment, anger management education, or developing parenting skills. Clients whose parental interests are in jeopardy due to documented problems with drugs or violence will usually make a favorable impression on the judge when they take positive steps to improve themselves.
Our law firm also helps parents who need advice about modifying or enforcing rights to custody or visitation, out of state relocation plans, or establishing a right to visitation following a determination of paternity. To learn more about our ability to help you resolve child custody and visitation problems, contact the Boston law firm of Thomas McKean.
