Our team at Brown Family Law believes in protecting your children and future during divorce proceedings. You can let our Salt Lake City child custody lawyers guide you to a secure, child-centered custody agreement, avoiding the uncertainty of court.
Our team of attorneys has 150 years of combined experience that we can draw on when assisting your family. You can rely on our family lawyers in Salt Lake City to prioritize your needs and strategically help you reach your goals during this challenging time.
Call us today to schedule your consultation.
Why Hire a Child Custody Lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT?
Hiring a family law attorney to help with child custody issues can ensure that you always have someone looking out for the best interests of you and your children when going through a divorce.
Our team can help you through the process from start to finish.
Answering Your Legal Questions
Our family law attorneys in Salt Lake County can listen to you and provide clear, straightforward answers about the legal process. We can answer questions about what the most common child custody arrangement is and how long a custody battle takes.
With the information we provide, you can make informed decisions throughout the divorce process.
Representing You in the Legal System
We provide legal representation regarding family law matters. We can advise you on setting up a parenting plan and determine how to go about developing a custody arrangement that works for your children.
You can schedule a consultation with us now to discuss options like sole custody and joint custody in Utah.
Get Clear Guidance for Your Divorce
We Believe in Doing What Is Right for Your Children
Divorce is frequently hardest on children. Not only do they feel the effects of the anger and hurt their parents experience, but they also can end up as pawns in the game of chess their parents play. It is always better for you and your spouse to come to an agreement on custody of your children.
If you cannot, the Utah courts will have to decide based on the best interests of the children, which may or may not be what you want.
A Calmer, Clearer Way Through Divorce
Family Court Litigation for Custody Cases
While collaboration is always the preferred route, there are times when parents simply cannot agree on a custody arrangement. In these situations, litigation may be necessary to secure what is best for you and your children.
Our experienced Salt Lake City child custody attorneys can guide you through every step of the family court process. Litigation can feel intimidating, so we apply an empathetic and strategic approach. Family court decisions about custody depend heavily on what the judge determines to be in your child’s best interests. Factors that may play a central role in court include:
- Each parent’s ability to provide a stable home environment.
- Consistency in caregiving and your involvement in your child’s daily life.
- Each parent’s willingness to co-parent and encourage a positive relationship between the child and the other parent.
- The specific needs of your child and each parent’s ability to meet those needs.
- Any history of abuse, neglect, or harmful behavior.
Our Salt Lake City child custody lawyers can negotiate with your spouse and their attorney, on your behalf, to determine which of you will have custody of your children. We understand how important your children are to you, and we want to make this transition as easy as possible for all of you.
Information About Child Custody in Salt Lake City
Child custody breaks down into two different areas:
Physical Custody
Physical custody is determined by which parent the child spends the most time with or where they legally reside.
Legal Custody
Legal custody is each parent’s ability to make life decisions for the child, such as medical care, school, and religious teachings. Parents may share these responsibilities through joint custody, or one parent may have sole legal and physical custody while the other has parent-time, also referred to as visitation.
How Does the Court Determine Who Gets Custody?
Child custody breaks down into two different areas: physical and legal custody. Physical custody is determined by which parent the child spends the most time with or where they legally reside. Legal custody is each parent’s ability to make life decisions for the child, such as medical care, school, and religious teachings.
Parents may share these responsibilities through joint custody, or one parent may have sole legal and physical custody while the other has parent-time, also referred to as visitation. Factors that the courts will consider in awarding custody include:
- Which parent cares for the child the majority of the time
- Which parent is most willing to facilitate the relationship with the other parent
- Each parent’s employment
- Each parent’s living situation
- Whether a parent has remarried
- Which parent can offer the most stable environment during and after the transition
While we recommend that you and your spouse come to an agreement, we understand there are times when this cannot happen. In these situations, our experienced child custody attorneys in Salt Lake City fight for what is best for you and your children.
Evidence Used in Child Custody Cases
In many custody cases, the courts rely heavily on evidence and professional evaluations to determine what custody arrangement best serves your children’s needs. The team at Brown Family Law works closely with you to assemble all the essential documentation and evidence to build a solid case while keeping the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Under Utah Code Section 81-9-204, when determining custody arrangements, a judge considers the “best interests of the child” as the primary factor. They evaluate various forms of evidence that reflect the ability of each parent to meet the child’s needs and foster a stable, nurturing environment, such as:
- Parenting records of your involvement in your child’s daily life, including school activities, medical appointments, and extracurriculars.
- Communication logs, including text messages, emails, or other communications demonstrating your willingness to co-parent effectively or showing concerns about the other parent’s actions.
- School and medical reports that reflect your ability to meet your child’s educational, medical, and emotional needs.
- Witness testimony from teachers, childcare providers, or others who have firsthand knowledge of your involvement and parenting abilities.
The courts may also order a custody evaluation conducted by a licensed professional. The evaluator’s objective is to assess each parent’s ability to meet their child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
Evaluations Used in Child Custody Cases
In some cases, courts may order a custody evaluation conducted by a licensed professional. The evaluator’s objective is to assess each parent’s ability to meet their child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs. This process typically involves:
- Interviews with both parents: Evaluators will interview each parent to gain insight into their parenting styles, goals, and concerns.
- Interactions with children: Observing how each parent interacts with the child allows evaluators to form an unbiased perspective of the parent-child relationship.
- Home visits: Evaluators may visit both parents’ homes to ensure they provide a safe, stable environment for the child.
- Additional input: Evaluators may involve teachers, therapists, or other professionals who can provide valuable input about the child’s needs.
At Brown Family Law, our attorneys guide you through this process, helping you stay prepared and informed every step of the way.
Guardianship and Parental Rights
In family law cases, guardianship and parental rights are other aspects to consider along with custody. Guardianship allows an adult to take on the legal responsibility to care for a child and make important decisions about their welfare. Courts may grant guardianship when biological parents are unable to fulfill their obligations due to specific circumstances.
Under Utah Code Section 75-5-206, courts make guardianship decisions based on what serves the best interests of the child. When parental rights are questioned, the court evaluates each parent’s ability to provide a safe and stable home.
Parental rights are protected under Utah law and are only removed by the court in limited situations, such as abandonment, neglect, or harm. Our Salt Lake City child custody attorneys help parents with the guardianship process or defend their parental rights, working toward outcomes that prioritize the well-being of the child.
Why Choose Us to Help With Child Custody Matters?
The team at Brown Family Law believes in strategically handling issues related to child custody during the divorce process. We want to protect your children, your future, and your family.
Our experience allows us to calmly and decisively guide you through the legal process. We compassionately listen to your needs and develop a plan that can help you with all family law matters.
We always focus on the best interests of the child when handling custody disputes, and we’ll stand by you every step of the way. We can help with custody issues involving a divorce or a separation of unmarried parents.
Talk to Us About Child Custody in Salt Lake City, UT
You can get professional help from our team at Brown Family Law if you’re going through a divorce that includes a custody dispute. In this situation, our Salt Lake City child custody attorneys can explain what you need to do, how to set up a parenting plan, and the issues surrounding child support.
We’ve helped thousands of clients, and we’re ready to provide the steadfast and compassionate assistance you need during this difficult time. Reach out now to learn more.
