Custody
The determination of child custody in a Massachusetts divorce is often one of the most stressful and emotional issues for both the parents and the child involved. At the Law Office of Rachel M. Matos, we understand how critically important it is to have zealous and expert legal representation in this matter. Our team will aggressively fight for your interests and the best interests of your child. To learn more about how our office can help in your child custody case, call or contact us today in New Bedford to schedule a consultation.
Advocating for Your Rights as a Parent
The Court presumes at the beginning of every child custody case that both parents should spend time with their child and share the responsibilities of parenting. Custody can refer to both physical and legal custody. Physical custody refers to where the child lives. A parent can have sole or joint physical custody of the child, meaning that the child either lives just with one parent or spends time living with both.
Legal custody refers to a parent’s ability to make decisions about the child’s welfare and care. This includes decisions about the child’s medical care, schooling, religious upbringing, and psychological development. Typically, the court presumes joint legal custody of a child in a divorce case unless shown otherwise. Our team will zealously advocate for your rights as a parent to both legal and physical custody of your child.
Factors Affecting Child Custody
There are many factors that can affect the determination of child custody. The specifics of your case could significantly alter a custody decision, which is why it is important to hire a custody attorney with detailed knowledge of the law. State statutes include, but are not limited to, the following factors:
- Who the child has lived with for the last six months
- How well the child is bonded with each parent
- Whether each parent has been putting the best interests of the child first
- The ability of the parents to communicate with one another
- The child’s overall well-being
- The child’s connections to their school and community
- The child’s preference (dependent on their age and maturity)
- Any history of drug abuse
- Any history of physical or sexual abuse, and more.
At the Law Office of Rachel M. Matos, our legal expertise can be the critical difference in securing custody of your child after a divorce. If you believe that any of these issues could impact the determination of custody of your child, it is imperative that you speak with our office today about your legal options.
Speak with an Expert About Your Custody Case
Determining the custody of your child during a divorce can be overwhelming and emotional for everyone involved. You need an attorney with experience in Massachusetts child custody matters to provide well-reasoned and logical legal expertise to your case. Call the office or contact us today in New Bedford at the Law Office of Rachel M. Matos to schedule a consultation of your case and learn more about how we can advocate for you.