The most important thing in a father’s life is his children. Unfortunately, there are those who cling to outdated stereotypes regarding the roles of parents. Arkansas, however, is like many other states in that it recognizes that custody should be awarded in accordance with the best interests of the child, and not to a particular parent on the basis of gender. If you are a dad fighting for custody and visitation then it is important that you retain an attorney who can properly present your case to the Court. Our Little Rock lawyers aggressively defend the rights of fathers throughout Arkansas and we ensure that our clients receive their day in Court. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.
Little Rock attorneys assisting dads in child custody cases
Arkansas law grants no preference to either parent in a child custody proceeding. In fact, our state presumes that custody should be shared between the parents. This means that the Family Court Judge will begin each case with the assumption that the parents should equally split time and decision making authority when it comes to a child. The Court will only grant one parent “primary” custody if it is shown that such an arrangement would be in the child’s best interests. When deciding what is in the child’s best interests, the Court will consider factors which include, but are not limited to:
- The nature of the relationship each parent has with the child
- The ability of each parent to meet the child’s needs
- The willingness of each parent to maintain a relationship between the child and their counterpart
- Any history of domestic violence between the parties
The Court will rule on issues such as visitation and child support at the same time that it issues a custody ruling.
Custody cases can begin as part of a divorce or as a separate action between unmarried parents. The Court will typically be asked to enter a temporary order, regarding visitation and support, so that the parents have a set structure in place while the matter proceeds. Each side will then use discovery (the process by which information is gained in a lawsuit), to gather evidence. If a resolution is not reached then the matter will proceed to a trial. The Judge will hear the evidence and issue a ruling. Litigating these types of cases requires a knowledge of the law as well as the rules of procedure. It is suggested that you retain a lawyer to assist you.
Our Little Rock fathers’ rights attorneys have decades of combined experience and we believe that everyone is entitled to aggressive representation. We will use your initial consultation to help you understand what to expect from the process. We will then quickly file an action with the Court along with a request for a temporary ruling. Our discovery efforts will focus on the fitness of the mother to parent. Information we will obtain may include employment records, arrest histories, drug test results, and more. Our firm is experienced in taking cases to trial and we will take the steps necessary to prepare your case for the process. We understand that this is a serious time in your life. We will take your case seriously. Contact us today.
Attorneys providing the highest level of service to Little Rock dads
We understand that few things are as stressful as issues involving your children. This is why we make client communication a priority. Our lawyers will be in regular contact with you throughout the process and they will be available to answer any questions you may have. In addition to Little Rock, our fathers’ rights attorneys also handle matters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Conway, Rogers, Pine Bluff and throughout the rest of the state.