In a divorce, your primary concern is that of your children and what sort of custody arrangement is best for them. You might be worried about whether you’ll be able to retain custody or want to ensure that your children aren’t exposed to abusive situations. Even if joint custody is agreed upon by both parties, there is still the matter of details — everything from who gets which days to arranging pickups and dropoffs to balancing time spent with both parents needs to be worked out, and the tiniest of details can make the difference in you and your children’s happiness.

If one parent plans to move away from the area or become involved in another relationship, then your custody concerns become even more pronounced. You only want what’s best for your child, which is why an experienced lawyer can make all the difference. Feel free to reach out to me for a personal consultation. We will find a time and place that will work best for you, and you won’t be disappointed.

Because I am a mother and a grandmother, as well as a child of divorced parents, I know how you might be feeling and how custody is a life-altering experience. I consider it my calling to help southeast Missouri parents in their child custody cases, and I take pride in getting results that are best for children.

With 30 years of experience in family law, I know how to fight for my clients and what’s best for their children. I am known for steady support and straightforward answers and opinions in your family law matters, especially those related to:

• Visitation rights
• Child custody and parenting plans, including enforcement or changing plans that are no longer workable
• Awarding and enforcement of child support
• Issues with child protective services

Options for Parents who aren’t Married

Parents who aren’t married share many of the same concerns over custody as those who are, but unmarried parents have their own set of concerns that are often significant and unique. If you’re a father, you might be worried that your rights won’t be recognized or respected because you weren’t married. You want to protect your child, but you might wonder how to establish paternity or even how to file for custody of your child. If you’re a mother, you might worry about how to collect and enforce child support if you were never married to the father.

For parents who aren’t married, establishing paternity is one of the most important steps in custody issues. If paternity isn’t established, an unmarried father has no legal right to see their child or make decisions regarding them, even if they are paying child support. Without established paternity, an unmarried mother may have issues collecting and enforcing necessary child support.

I help people on all sides of even the most complicated child custody cases. When your child’s future safety and happiness are involved, you want someone who will be on your side and fight for you. Please call me at 573-303-3015 or email me for an individual, private consultation with no obligation or pressure. Even if you choose another lawyer, I am certain you will gain knowledge from our conversation and be able to determine the best path to move forward.