Child Custody Lawyer in Mesa

As a parent, when filing for divorce in Mesa or separating from a partner, you will need to make some important decisions pertaining to children from the relationship. Legal proceedings will address complicated issues, such as child support payments, visitation schedules, custody provisions, and more. You need an experienced Mesa child custody attorney who can guide you through the complex legal process. In these situations, the Mesa family law attorneys at the Law Office of Karen A. Schoenau can represent you in your child custody case and advocate aggressively for your rights.

Why Choose Us

Matters impacting children are among the most sensitive and potentially volatile in the family court. Decisions made during Arizona child custody proceedings can affect your child’s overall wellbeing and safety, as well as your relationship with them now and for years to come. To protect your rights in Mesa child custody cases, get the Law Office of Karen A. Schoenau on your side. Reasons our clients chose our family law firm over others include:

• Our attorney, Karen Schoenau, has over 20 years of experience in Arizona family law and specializes in complex child custody cases in Mesa.
• We are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome in your legal custody matters, placing your children’s best interests at the center of every decision we make.
• Our family law attorney holds multiple awards and distinctions, including the 2019 Maricopa County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers’ Program Attorney of the Year.

When it comes to legal proceedings and decisions that could impact the most important people in your life-your children-you want the best Mesa child custody lawyer on your side. At the Law Office of Karen A. Schoenau, you can trust our specialized family law attorney to provide the caring support and professional legal representation you deserve.

Mesa Child Custody Guidelines

Child custody matters often arise during a divorce or due to paternity proceedings. Working with a Mesa divorce lawyer, parents can choose to resolve child custody issues during divorce mediation, where they can create customized arrangements under the guidance of a neutral third-party mediator. However, suppose parents do not enter mediation or end up not being able to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. In that case, the presiding judge in the matter will determine custody arrangements based on the evidence presented by both parties in court. There are numerous factors that a judge will typically consider in determining the right to custody and creating a parenting plan. These include:

• The relationship that the child has with each parent
• The relationship that the child has with their siblings or any other parties involved in the custody proceedings
• How the child will adjust to changes at home, at school, or in the community
• The physical and mental health of the child and both parents
• Whether a parent is likely to foster a relationship between the child and their former spouse
• Whether a parent has committed an act of domestic violence or child abuse
• Whether a parent has submitted a false report about child abuse or neglect to the court to gain an advantage over the other parent
• The child’s preferences if they are able to make a mature, informed, and intelligent decision
• Any other factors that are relevant to the custody decision

If you are filing for custody of your children, it is important to have an experienced Mesa child custody attorney on your side who can guide you through this process. At the Law Office of Karen A. Schoenau, our child custody lawyer can examine your case and gather the evidence you need to reach the best possible outcome.

Types of Child Custody in Mesa

Under Arizona law, there are two types of child custody: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to a parent’s right to make decisions for their children, such as choosing a medical provider or a school. Typically, courts award legal custody to both parents. However, in some cases, the court may decide that one parent should receive sole legal custody.

Physical custody, on the other hand, involves parenting time. A parenting plan is created and will address the following:

• The amount of time the child spends in each parent’s home during the week
• The right to overnight visits on weekends
• Extended stays over holidays, school breaks, and other special occasions
• Pick-up and drop-off arrangements
• The right to attend academic and recreational activities your child participates in

In some cases, a court order will allow for joint custody. The court will award joint physical custody and each parent will share an equal amount of parenting time. In a custody arrangement in which a court order grants one parent more than 50 percent of physical custody, they will become the custodial parent. The other spouse will become the non-custodial parent but will be awarded reasonable parenting time.

In other cases, the court may award custody to one parent alone. This often happens in Mesa child custody cases involving abuse, neglect, criminal activity, or drug and alcohol problems on the part of one of the parents. The main goal is to protect the safety and best interests of the child.

When Child Custody Modifications Are Needed

Once a child custody order is entered through the Maricopa County Family Court, both parents are legally obligated to follow it. If the other parent refuses to comply with the terms or other types of problems arise, you may be entitled to a child custody modification.

At the Law Office of Karen A. Schoenau, our Mesa child custody lawyer can guide you through the process. Situations which would involve our skilled Mesa child custody modification lawyer may be called for include:

• One of the parents fails to comply with the terms of the order
• They behave in ways that put the child at risk
• They refuse to cooperate with the other parent or otherwise undermine their authority
• They are habitually late for picking up or dropping off the child, cancel without adequate notice, or otherwise engage in behavior prohibited in the parenting plan.

Schedule a Consultation With a Child Custody Lawyer 

Nothing is more important than the safety of your child. As their parent, you have the right to play an active and engaged role in their life. In cases of divorce or with single parents involved in paternity proceedings, parenting plans play a major role in child custody and help to protect your rights.

If you need help with child custody arrangements in Mesa, creating a parenting plan, or ensuring a final custody order is enforced, reach out to our child custody lawyer at the Law Office of Karen A. Schoenau. With over 20 years of experience representing clients in these cases, you can count on us to work diligently to protect your rights and your child’s best interests. Give us a call at (480) 845-0251 or contact our office online to schedule a free consultation with our Mesa child custody lawyer today.