Child custody laws prioritize the child’s best interest. As a parent, maintaining a happy, stable relationship with both parents is usually best. But other factors may get in the way of parents amicably sharing joint child custody, such as:

  • A parent’s inability to adequately provide food and shelter
  • A parent’s inability to adequately provide a stable and loving home
  • Distance between the parents’ residences
  • The child’s preference
  • The moral fitness of the parent(s)
  • A parent’s refusal to encourage the child’s relationship with the other parent
  • The mental and physical health of the parent(s)
  • Substance abuse and/or criminal history

While some parents and children can settle child custody disputes among themselves, some situations require the legal help of a child custody lawyer.

Battle over childrenAttorneys at Ellen Cronin Badeaux, LLC include a qualified family mediator and experienced lawyers serving the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metro areas. They can help your family determine a child custody arrangement that provides a loving, stable home for your child and allows the child to maintain relationships with both parents and family members to the greatest extent possible.

In the Child’s Best Interest

As parents, you often know what is in your child’s best interest. But during an emotionally challenging time like separation or divorce or other situation that necessitates a change in living situation, we can mistake our own best interests for our child’s. Louisiana child custody laws outline some guidelines for determining a child’s best interest:

  • The child’s relationship with the parent(s)/guardian(s)
  • The parent’s/guardian’s ability to provide for the child’s physical needs (e.g. food and shelter)
  • The parent’s/guardian’s ability to foster the child’s physical, mental and emotional health
  • The length of time the child has spent with the parent/guardian
  • The child’s preference (usually considered if the child is 12 years or older)

When child custody disputes arise, you may need a lawyer’s help to fight for a custody arrangement that gives you the most unrestricted time with your child. Sometimes the best interests of the child are best served by grandparents or extended family custody.

Ellen Cronin Badeaux, LLC has 19 year of experience in family law. They will fight to keep you and your child together. For help settling child custody disputes in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge metro areas, contact Ellen Cronin Badeaux, LLC.Badeaux Law Office

Call 985-892-1955 to schedule a consultation with a child custody lawyer today.

Ellen Cronin Badeaux, LLC serves the parishes of St. Tammany, Washington, Livingston, Tangipahoa, St. Helena, Jefferson, Orleans, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, and Ascension. We are happy to help those in the communities of Amite, Baton Rouge, Covington, Denham Springs, Hammond, Livingston, Mandeville, Metairie, New Orleans and Slidell.