At Ilg & Devore, P.C., we handle a wide range of family law issues that affect parents and children. Most often, these issues relate to a divorce or paternity proceeding. In these legal matters, parents frequently determine child custody as well as a visitation schedule and whether child support is needed. They also modify or enforce existing court orders.
Located in Lowell and serving clients throughout Massachusetts, we can walk you through each of these child custody and child support matters, helping you make the right decisions along the way. We know that each case is different. To get things right, we tailor our advocacy to meet your family's personal needs.
Child Custody
In Massachusetts, courts examine the best interests of the child in order to make decisions about custody. To do so, they consider a series of factors that are set out by statute. These factors include the child's age, relationship to each parent and history in the home.
Our state's laws divide child custody into two separate concepts — legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the parents' rights to make critical decisions about their children: decisions like where the child will attend school and church or if the child will receive critical health care. Physical custody refers to the time that parents actually spend with their children.
Visitation Schedule
Parents often worry how a divorce or paternity determination will affect their relationship with their children. At Ilg & Devore, P.C., we work together to develop a parenting plan (often called a visitation schedule) that protects the best interests of the child.
When a matter affects the visitation schedule, we can help our clients protect their relationships with their children. This is especially critical when a custodial parent considers moving out of Massachusetts. In cases like these, modification or enforcement of an existing court order is often necessary.
Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines
Specific laws — called the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines — outline how much parents may owe or receive based on their incomes and other factors. In certain cases, departure from the guidelines is possible, but it is important to talk with a lawyer about your unique situation.
Contact a Lowell Child Custody Attorney
Our law firm handles a wide range of family law issues so, as experienced lawyers, we are well equipped to help families throughout Massachusetts. Contact us at 978-319-4918 or toll free at 888-804-7996 for a confidential consultation with a Merrimack Valley child support attorney.
