This is the first post in a series which will deal with the rights of unmarried parents in Little Rock, Arkansas. We are writing on this topic due to the fact that there can obvious confusions between such parents when it comes to their rights and obligations. There are also many misconceptions as to how the law handles such matters. The goal of our coming articles is to provide information which will help people to better understand their situation. It is also our goal to provide information which will help people to make a more informed decision when they are hiring a child custody lawyer. If you require assistance, then contact our office today to speak with an attorney.
We will be addressing several topics over our coming articles. Issues which we will analyze include:
- The fact that Arkansas views the rights of a father and those of a mother as equal
- The effect of not having an established custody order in place
- Filing a case to determine child custody
- Conducting discovery in such cases
- What to expect from the trial process
These are important topics to address. First, Arkansas is like many other states in that it does not favor one parent over the other. In fact, the Court will begin each matter with the assumption that custody should be shared. A parent will only be awarded primary custody if they can show that such an arrangement is in the child’s best interests. Second, not having an established order in place can lead to substantial problems whenever there is a disagreement between the parents. Third, filing a case as soon as possible can help to provide your life with a sense of structure. Fourth, discovery is the tool by which evidence is acquired to build your case. Finally, knowing what to expect from the trial process will help to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible.
One point we cannot stress enough is that you should contact an attorney as soon as possible if you are in a dispute with your child’s other parent. The longer you allow the situation to go on then the more likely the court will be to maintain the current status quo. Our Little Rock child custody lawyers are ready to assist you. We also handle matters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Conway, Rogers, Pine Bluff and throughout the rest of the state.