This post concludes and recaps our series on the handling of Arkansas child custody cases which involve unmarried parents. We felt it was important to write on this topic due to the fact that many moms and dads do not know how to proceed when they begin to disagree with their ex. Those disagreements, in turn, can escalate into arguments which are not good for the child. By dealing with the situation properly, each side can move forward in a way which is productive for both themselves and the child. The goal of our last several articles have been meant to provide information which will help people understand what they should expect from the legal process. It has also been our goal to provide information which will help people make an informed decision when they are selecting a child custody attorney. If you require assistance then contact our office to speak with a Little Rock lawyer.
We addressed several topics over the course of our last several articles. Issues which we analyzed include:
- Arkansas’ equal treatment of mothers and fathers
- Why parents need a custody order
- Filing an Arkansas child custody case
- The need for discovery in child custody cases
- What parents should expect at trial
We chose to address these issues for multiple reasons. First, contrary to some misconceptions, our state views the rights of a father and those of a mother as equal. This means that a Judge will show no preference when deciding which parent should be awarded child custody. Second, it is best for the parents to always have a custody order, even if they are currently getting along. Having an order will help to keep the situation stable, in the event that there is a disagreement. Third, a custody case can be filed quickly and it will be important to establish a temporary order regarding custody, support, etc. Fourth, the discovery process is crucial as it is how one acquires the evidence which they will present at trial. Finally, knowing what to expect from the trial process will help to ensure that things go smoothly.
One point we stressed through each of these articles is that it is vital to contact an attorney to assist you with any legal proceedings. Counsel will help to ensure that your cases is handled correctly and that the facts are properly presented to the court. Our Little Rock child custody lawyers take pride in the level of service they provide and our firm is ready to assist you. Contact us today. We also handle matters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Conway, Rogers, Pine Bluff and throughout the rest of Arkansas.