Custody and Parenting Plans
Custody and Parenting Plans Attorney
Family and Locally Owned | Since 2013 | Confidential Consultations
Family and Locally Owned
Since 2013
Confidential Consultations
Knowledgeable Custody Representation
In Massachusetts, the best interest of the child controls what happens in Custody and Parenting Plans. The term “parenting plan” is now used throughout the Commonwealth, replacing the term “visitation” which was common not too long ago. A parenting plan sets forth the time that your child or children spend which each of their parents.
Custody refers to both legal and physical custody. Physical custody is where the children physically reside, and legal custody relates to the parent or parents who have the right to make decisions regarding the children. Heather-Jill Williams Family Law PC will fully advise you as to these important legal terms that impact your rights to your children. Call today for a confidential consultation!
Prioritizing Your Children's Needs in Your Custody Case
In establishing a parenting plan, we look to what role each parent has historically taken in parenting the children. Many factors are considered in establishing this schedule.
Attorney Williams is familiar with the needs of children of all ages, from infants and toddlers who need frequent contact with each parent, but need to remain primarily with their primary caregiver (in cases where there is one), to school-aged children with busy extracurricular schedules, to adolescents and teenage children who may have a schedule all their own. She will work with you to address your concerns and needs and work for you to obtain a parenting plan which is in your child’s best interest.
When thinking about parenting plans, it is important to keep in mind your child’s needs, family traditions, and historical parenting roles. These concepts should guide not only the regular weekly parenting schedule but also the holiday, vacation, and special occasion schedule.
At times, one parent or the other has acted in a manner that causes concern for the safety of a child. Attorney Williams has the experience in handling these unfortunate circumstances. She is familiar with the various plans for supervised parenting time and can advise you of your options should you have any particular concerns.
Expenses Related to Raising Children and Child Support
The Child Support Guidelines are presumptive in Massachusetts. However, presumptive does not mean automatic. Rather, in certain circumstances, child support may be greater than or less than the presumptive guideline amount. These deviations are important to consider when agreeing to a child support amount.
Income is often an issue in determining child support. It is not uncommon for a party to under-report their income. Attorney Heather-Jill Williams is experienced in obtaining and analyzing financial discovery and uncovering the true financial picture of a case.
Other important factors to consider when looking at Child Support include college education costs, tax dependency, and any alimony obligations. In balancing the entire financial picture, Attorney Williams will assist you in getting the appropriate child support order for your children whether you are the one paying or receiving.
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