Boston Child Custody Disputes Attorney
At Turco Legal, our Boston child custody attorneys have the professional skills, legal experience, and passion to represent parents in the full range of child custody disputes. No matter what you are currently going through, our legal team is ready to protect your interests and help you find the right path toward a better future. To set up a fully confidential consultation with a Massachusetts child custody lawyer, please contact us at our Boston law office today.
An Overview of Child Custody Laws in Massachusetts
Nothing should come between you and your relationship with your children. Parents and other caregivers who are involved in a dispute over child custody and/or child visitation should know their rights and responsibilities under the law. Child custody cases are generally handled at the state level. Here are four key things that you should understand about child custody in Massachusetts.
- Shared Parenting Is Presumed Best: Massachusetts family courts presume that it is best for both parents to have a relationship with their child. While that presumption can be rebutted—and sole custody can be awarded when appropriate—some form of shared custody is generally viewed as the standard in the Commonwealth.
- A Distinction Between Legal Custody and Physical Custody: Massachusetts makes a distinction between legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is effective “decision-making” authority over the child. In contrast, physical custody determines where the child lives. Co-parents can have shared legal and shared physical custody of their child. However, it is also common for co-parents to have shared legal custody of their child while just one co-parent has sole physical custody.
- Best Interests of the Child Standard Governs in Disputes: Under Massachusetts law (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 208 § 31), all custody disputes are resolved by considering the best interests of the child. Massachusetts courts can evaluate a wide array of factors to determine what is best for a child’s health, safety, and well-being. The child’s best interests always come first in custody matters.
- Non-Parents Have Limited Rights in Massachusetts: Non-parents have very limited legal rights under Massachusetts’ child custody laws. The rights of a legal parent are far stronger. That being said, it is sometimes possible for another interested party who has developed a strong relationship with a child—such as a grandparent—to petition a probate and family court for visitation rights. If you have questions about this matter, our Boston family law attorney can help.
We Put an Emphasis on Collaborative Problem-Solving in Custody Disputes
No one wants to experience a child custody dispute. The overwhelming majority of parents want to amicably resolve their matter. Our Boston child custody lawyers put a concerted emphasis on collaborative problem-solving in custody cases. With extensive experience handling family law mediations and child custody negotiations, we are always ready to help you work towards a low-conflict settlement.
At the same time, the simple reality is that not all child custody cases can be settled. For many different reasons, you may not be in a position to reach an amicable custody agreement with a co-parent. As trial-tested family law advocates, our Boston child custody lawyers are always ready to litigate your dispute if necessary and to best protect your interests.
How the Boston Child Custody Attorneys at Turco Legal Can Help
Child custody disputes are notoriously complex. These are sensitive cases and you do not have to figure everything out on your own. At Turco Legal, we put in the time and legal resources necessary to help parents and other interested parties find the solution that best protects their rights, their interests, and their child. Among other things, our Boston child custody lawyers will:
- Listen to your story and explain the Massachusetts child custody laws;
- Gather all of the documents, records, and other information needed to support your case;
- Help you look for ways to settle a custody dispute in a low-conflict manner; and,
- If necessary, take aggressive legal action to protect your rights and your child.
Get Help from Our Boston, MA Child Custody Lawyers
At Turco Legal, our Boston child custody lawyers have the professional skills and family law knowledge that you can count on in a complex case. If you are in a child custody dispute, we are here to help you find the right answer for your family. Contact us at (978) 225-9030 to set up a confidential initial appointment with a Massachusetts family law attorney. From our law office in Boston, we handle child custody disputes in Suffolk County and throughout the wider area.