Dedicated St. Louis Child Custody Lawyers
Child custody and visitation issues are often the most hotly disputed legal matters in any divorce, paternity, or guardianship proceeding. Tempers often flare, but it is important to remember the best interests of your children.
For more than 17 years, the Law Offices of Susan L. Ward, LLC has focused exclusively on the area of family law. We understand that determining legal or physical custody of a child can be an emotionally draining experience. We are committed to making the process proceed as smoothly as possible and will never lose sight of what you believe is best for you and your family.
We define our success in terms of meeting our clients' needs. Whether you are in the middle of a custody battle or have questions about joint custody, we can help.Contact us today to schedule a convenient appointment at our centrally located St. Louis law office.
Child Custody in Missouri
Even after the divorce is finalized, or partners have separated, changed circumstances may call for a modification of the custody agreement or visitation schedule. Interstate visitation or domestic relocation issues often arise in St. Louis due to the large number of individuals that live in Illinois, but work in Missouri, or vice versa. In our mobile society, there are often custody plans that need to consider cross-country or international travel for the child. At the Law Offices of Susan L. Ward, LLC, we handle a full range of these complex child custody issues.
Grandparents and Child Custody
Grandparents' rights are also important in child custody cases, including situations where grandparents are seeking to receive custody or temporary custody even if the parents are fit to care for their children. In Missouri, grandparents are significantly limited in their rights, and specific circumstances may dictate what options are available. Unless grandparents have been given guardianship or other rights by the court, or awarded custody during a divorce, specific guidelines in Missouri are applied. Every case is unique, so please contact us to further explore your options. If the child's grandparents have been granted guardianship, the parent or parents may seek to end that guardianship and take back custody of their children.
Child Support and Child Custody
Child support issues go hand-in-hand with child custody disputes, since the amount of child support due to one of the spouses can be dependent on the amount of time the child spends with that parent. Our attorneys assist clients in the initial determination of support and in navigating the administrative requirements set up through Missouri's Family Support Center. We also defend those accused of non-support issues, such as arrearages that result in tax refund intercepts or unpaid support. If financial or other circumstances change, we can assist in obtaining a modification of the child support agreement.
Contact Us for a Team Approach
We carefully handle all child custody situations and always put your goals as to the best interests of the children first. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss how we can help you.
Learn more about child custody by visiting our resource center.
