Owensboro Child Custody Lawyer
Experienced Child Custody attorneys IN owensboro, Kentucky
The legal processes for custody can be long and complicated. Child custody matters are often the hardest part of divorce and separation, as custody means more than just where your child sleeps at night. Child custody determines who gets to make major life decisions about their education and health. At Bamberger & Brancato, PSC, our Kentucky child custody lawyers understand that you want to move past all the legalities as soon as possible and get to spending time with your children. Our family attorneys have decades of experience helping families with all types of custody negotiations. Let our Kentucky custody law firm handle the legal side while you work on adapting to your family’s new situation.
What Are the Step Parent Adoption Laws in Kentucky?
In the state of KY, anyone who is 18 and a resident of the state (or resided in the state for 12 months prior to filing for a step-parent adoption) is eligible for asking permission to adopt a child in the Circuit Court (in the Family Court) in the county where the person lives.
What is child custody in Owensboro, KY?
In Owensboro, KY, the courts may issue several different types of custody.
- Physical Custody: The parent that has day-to-day physical care and control of the child.
- Legal Custody: The parent that can make important decisions on behalf of the child regarding educational, cultural, religious, and medical matters.
Custody may also be either temporary or permanent.
- Temporary Custody: This type of custody is often issued during divorce proceedings. It will involve a contested hearing before a judge, after which the judge may decide to give permanent custody to one or both parties.
Lastly, custody can be either sole or joint.
- Sole Custody: Only one parent has custody. One parent has the decision-making authority.
- Joint Custody: Both parents will share custody. Both parents with joint legal custody may make decisions together on behalf of their child. In a joint physical custodial situation, the child will live with both parents but may spend more time with one than the other.
What is the 50/50 Custody Law in OWENSBORO, Ky?
Kentucky's family court wants to keep every child's emotional well-being as healthy as possible amidst the custody planning process, this is why House Bill 528 was passed in 2018. This law makes 50/50 custody the default structure for families going through custody disputes. Although custody may initially be split 50/50 between parents because of this law, the judge may later modify this arrangement if he or she deems it appropriate.
With any questions, contact us online or give us a call to speak with an experienced Kentucky child custody lawyer today.
The Child's Best Interests
According to KY. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 403.270 (2), the primary guideline for a Kentucky court to allocate custody is the child’s “best interests,” which includes:
- the child and parent's wishes for custody;
- the child's interaction and interrelationship with parents, siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interests;
- the child's adjustment to home, school, and community;
- each parent's motivation for requesting a contested custody hearing;
- the likelihood that a parent will allow the child frequent, meaningful, and continuing contact with the other parent;
- the mental and physical health of all individuals involved; and
- information, records, and evidence of domestic abuse.
Note that judges must begin all custody hearings with a presumption that joint custody is in the child's best interest. However, the presumption may be challenged if either parent can present evidence that joint custody is not in the child's best interests as listed above. Be aware that this presumption does not apply in family law cases with a history of domestic violence (KY. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 403.315.).
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Modifying an Existing CUSTODY Order in Kentucky
Understandably, a family’s needs and situations may change over time that could warrant an adjustment in the custody order. Or, if you feel you have suffered an unfavorable custody decision, you also have the right to seek a modification. Some examples of reasons to request modification of an existing custody order are:
- active duty deployment of a parent;
- the child is in danger or is neglected while in the care of the other parent;
- there has been a change in the child’s mental or physical health;
- there has been a change in the child’s education or living location.
Keep in mind that the court favors stability, so KY law requires parents to wait at least 2 years after the initial order before requesting a modification. However, if the petitioning parent can prove that the child's current environment endangers their physical, mental, moral, or emotional health, or the parent placed the child with a de facto custodian, they could potentially petition for modification before the 2 years pass.
Regardless, the key component of requesting a modification is showing that there has been a change of circumstances that make the current orders ineffective. To evaluate the request, the court will consider the best interest factors (as listed above) when deciding a proper custody change.
Achieving a custody modification is possible but can be challenging. Our legal team at Bamberger & Brancato, PSC can help you understand the criteria for custody modifications and request a hearing on your behalf. Our experienced Kentucky family lawyers understand how these processes work and can help you make a strong case to the court. If your current custody order is no longer appropriate, or if you'd like to increase or decrease a parent's visitation, contact our law firm in Owensboro to get started on your motion for modification today.
How Our kentucky child custody lawyers can help
Child custody negotiations are one of the most important family law matters, as they address the parent-child relationship. As a result, it is important that your needs and interests as a parent are addressed as you discuss your child custody arrangement with your spouse and/or in court. Our family law attorneys at Bamberger & Brancato, PSC have decades of professional experience and a breadth of knowledge on spousal and parental rights. Our family law lawyers will do our best to champion your interests in your custody case and even petition for a request for modification.
Contact Bamberger & Brancato, PSC for more information. Call (270) 926-5050 or reach out to our owensboro child custody lawyers online.
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