.png){kind=small}
New Mexico Child Custody Attorneys
Experienced Child Custody Lawyers in Albuquerque
New Mexico child custody disputes are one of the most difficult aspects in New Mexico family law. When it comes to kids, there are certain rules that parents must follow regarding the child's best interests. When it comes to your child's life, you can trust the child custody attorneys at Family Law Firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our attorneys will expertly guide you through all of the complicated aspects of your child custody dispute, so you don't accidentally negotiate a bad deal, fill out your paperwork incorrectly, and so you always have somebody there to answer all your questions. Let us assist you in your child custody case, so you feel in more control of the outcome. Contact the skilled custody lawyers at Family Law Firm to help you with your child custody case!​
​
At Family Law Firm, our child custody lawyers understand how heartbreaking it can be to lose your parental rights. Whether you are a parent who has been working towards regaining those rights, would like to see you kids more, would like to gain sole custody, we have the right lawyer at our firm for you. Let our attorneys help you better understand your case, while understanding how the opposing party is going to try to present things. We want to help you understand your case, so you wind up with a fair custody arrangement. Whether you are seeking sole custody or joint custody with a former spouse, partner, or family member, let us help you with your legal needs.​
So why does our firm stand above the rest? It's simple. Our family law attorneys go the extra mile to make sure our clients understand their case, so they never make major decisions in haste. Whether the child is looking to be in one parent or both parents lives, we're the child custody lawyers for you. Let us handle your case and answer all of your complicated questions along the way. Contact our firm to schedule a consultation, today!
Albuquerque Child Custody Lawyers Ready to Serve
Are you looking for the best child custody lawyers in Albuquerque, New Mexico? Look no further than Family Law Firm. With over 72 years of combine experience, our child custody lawyers are the best around. If you're looking for an attorney to answer all your questions, negotiate on your behalf, to act as a mediator, we are the child custody lawyers for you. Contact Family Law Firm in Albuquerque to schedule a consultation on your case.​
​
At Family Law Firm, our child custody lawyers are known for being knowledgeable, skilled, aggressive, and compassionate. We specialize in handling a variety of child custody cases. From sole custody where a child's life may be at risk from the other parent, joint custody where one parent disagree over time and visitation during a divorce, or untraditional cases where a non-parent (like a grandparent, sibling, etc) are seeking visitation, our child custody lawyers are here to help.
Over one million kids see their families changed through divorce each year in America. A child's health and emotional well-being greatly depends on their parents' communication and interaction after the separation or divorce in New Mexico. Child custody issues often pull at heart-strings and can sometimes result in unfair custody arrangements. Having a basic understanding of the law can make all the difference in the world when it comes to your case. If you're going through a difficult divorce and find yourself fighting for child custody and/or visitation, let our child custody lawyers help you better understand and protect your rights.
What Relationship Will You Have with Your Child?
Most parents can't imagine a life without their kids. Unfortunately, there are times when a parent finds themselves battling over child custody, financial support, or visitation. The child custody lawyers at Family Law Firm in Albuquerque understand that your children's lives are what's most important when it comes to your separation or divorce. We know this time can be stressful and overwhelming for both you, your former spouse, and especially your children. While we're unable to make that pain completely go away, we've dealt with many cases in the past, and can make the process a little easier. When the stakes are high, don't risk hiring an inexperienced lawyer. Hire an experienced child custody lawyer who can provide you the education you need to understand your case. Schedule a consultation with the skilled lawyers at Family Law Firm in Albuquerque.
Experienced New Mexico Child Custody Lawyers in Albuquerque
Nothing is more important than your child's life and future. Before you hire a lawyer, make sure you have some understanding of child custody in the state. To help you along the way, read our free eBook entitled, Understanding Child Custody in New Mexico. This will give you a basic understanding of your rights, help with your paperwork organization, and could wind up saving you a ton of costs and fees in the long run.​
Different Types of Custody & Visitation
You need a working vocabulary to effectively communicate your desired child custody. There are three essential legal terms in New Mexico:
​
-
Joint Legal Custody;
-
Physical Custody;
-
Parenting Plan
Joint Legal Custody (Joint Child Custody) in New Mexico
Joint legal custody in New Mexico means that parents have joint custody in decision-making over their children's lives. This type of custody strongly weighs on the best interest of the child. The primary areas of legal custody usually involve things like education, religion, health care, and extracurricular activities. This type of joint custody may or may not include physical custody. For more information about joint legal custody, contact the child custody attorneys at Family Law Firm.
Joint Physical Custody in New Mexico
Physical custody is another way of saying “parenting time.” Physical custody involves the specific day, week, weekend, holiday, or vacation time that a child has visitation with one parent. Joint physical custody does not mean 50-50 time-sharing. A parent can have primary physical custody (i.e. a majority of the time), but the parties still have joint physical custody (i.e. shared time with the child). A parent's time-sharing responsibilities include making routine child care decisions, feeding, sheltering, and clothing the child. When it comes to joint physical custody, a parent is rarely denied time-sharing with a child, unless one (or both) parents is having an issue. Some things that play a factor on whether or not a parent has physical custody (and how much physical custody they have), depends on factors like a parent's drug or alcohol use, a criminal record, a CYFD record of abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or mental health. All of these things are taken into consideration because they may pose a threat to the child. In these situations, the parent's time-sharing may be restricted, monitored, and supervised. Depending on the unique facts involved, supervised vistation may take place with a relative or neutral facility.​
​
​When you need help navigating your child custody case in New Mexico, contact the attorneys at Family Law Firm in Albuquerque! Our attorneys have all the knowledge and experience to fight on your behalf. Don't waste your time searching for an experienced attorney to help with your child custody case. Your search ends here with the cost-friendly, experienced attorneys at Family Law Firm.
Parenting Plans in Albuquerque, New Mexico
A Parenting Plan is a contract that outlines each parent's rights and responsibilities. Not all child custody cases in New Mexico require court involvement and litigation. Parents can agree on parenting issues and include the agreement into a Parenting Plan. Once the Parenting Plan is signed by the parties and judge, the plan becomes a binding and enforceable court order. The only time a child custody hearing is necessary is when parents are unable to reach an agreement for their Parenting Plan. In New Mexico, a parenting plan must include:​
​
-
Legal custody:
-
Physical custody/Time-sharing;
-
Specific time-sharing and exchange locations;
-
Holiday and vacation time-sharing schedule;
-
Steps to resolve disputes and alleged violations;
-
Steps for parent communication regarding the child;
-
Annual exchange of child support information; and
-
Child support worksheet.
​
When it comes to our clients, the attorneys are Family Law Firm know that divorce doesn't have to result in a familial battle over children. From the start, parents should be working on a plan to help them navigate child rearing during their separation or divorce, especially if there are a ton of things to resolve and consider. Having this type of plan reduces costs and fees, and can make hiring a good lawyer less complicated. Remember, less uncertainty equals more stability for the child, and your children are who are most important. In those trying times, don't stress over searching for an experienced lawyer online and risk having tons of hidden, costly fees. Simply contact the lawyers are Family Law Firm!
Child Custody and Mediation in Albuquerque
Mediation (also referred to as Settlement Facilitation in Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque) is the process where a neutral third party attempts to guide parents towards a dispute resolution, rather than going to trial. New Mexico parents are encouraged to address issues regarding time-sharing outside of court. This allows parents to have amicable time-sharing agreements, rather than having a judge decide. An amicable agreement is usually best for the child because it allows them to adjust more easily to the separation or divorce. In Albuquerque, most child custody cases are resolved outside of court. Although Settlement Facilitation is a great way for parents to solve issues on their own, it doesn't hurt to still have legal advice from an experienced lawyer, so you always get a fair agreement.​
​
Unfortunately, there are also times when a former spouses/partners can't reach an agreement and a hearing is unavoidable. Sometimes the conflict between spouses/partners is too much and a peaceful agreement just isn't possible. When a case needs to go to court, the whole litigation process can be particularly stressful because time-sharing and child custody decisions are ultimately left to the judge. This means a lot is at stake. A judge decides your case based on the following factors:
​
-
Each parent's stability
-
Bonding between parent and child
-
Status quo time-sharing
-
Substance abuse issues
-
Mental health issues
-
Domestic violence
-
Safety concerns
-
Court clinic investigations and recommendations
-
Any other factor impacting the child's best interests.
​
Although the court focuses on a child's best interests – children are almost never involved with litigation. Children generally never participate with New Mexico trials. In extreme situations, the court may conduct an “in camera interview” where the judge speaks with the child. However, the court usually limits child interaction to the assigned evaluator's investigation.
​
When you are unable to make an amicable agreement, the best thing you can do is contact an experienced child custody lawyer to help you during the trial. A judge's ruling is very hard to appeal, so you want to make sure you're doing everything right. When you need an expert child custody attorney, contact the experienced lawyers at Family Law Firm in Albuquerque.
Modifying Child Custody and Time-Sharing in New Mexico
When it comes to time-sharing, it can be hard to modify the agreement. It takes substantial circumstances to get the court to change the original order. In order to modify the agreement, New Mexico parents are required to file a Motion to Modify Time-Sharing. While there is no guarantee that the order will change, it's best to have help when filing the forms, so everything is completed properly.
Parenting Time and Child Support in New Mexico
Although some parents try to use this as a reason and there's no denying lack of child support is difficult, a parent cannot deny time-sharing based on the other parent's failure to pay These things are two separate issues that must be handled accordingly. If a parent is failing to pay child support or you feel like time-sharing agreements needs to be adjusted, it's best to seek legal representation from an experienced child custody lawyer, like the team at Family Law Firm, to help you with your filings.
Contact us today. 1(505)-DIVORCE or (505) 245-7200 or email us.
CLIENT REVIEWS.
"Thank you to everyone at the Family Law Firm office. How wonderful all of you are. I felt like I had friends with me every step of the way! If ever I know of someone in need of your service I will sing your praises and send them your way. Thank you for everything all of you have done for me."
"I want to thank every one at the Family Law Firm for sending me a lifeline and hope when there was none. My children and I are blessed to have you in our lives and there is not one day that I don't thank God for sending me angels in the form of attorneys. Thank you again for all the sweat, effort, understanding, and love you've sent our way."