Child Custody and Visitation

Effective Birmingham, Alabama Child Custody Lawyers

Child custody and visitation rights are two of the most contentious issues involved in divorce. At Gina H. McDonald & Associates, L.L.C., in Birmingham, Alabama, we strive to help divorcing parents reach both child custody and visitation agreements that are in the best interests of their children.

If you have questions about child custody or visitation,
Please contact Gina H. McDonald & Associates at (205) 453-4497

Children will often feel powerless when their parents divorce, while the effects of the divorce will forever alter their lives. These emotions are further heightened when contested divorces place them in the middle of their parent's problems. Our attorneys work hard to help parents reach consensual agreements on child custody matters, as court imposed child custody orders can often strengthen the animosity between parents and even their children.

There are a wide variety of child custody arrangements that can be worked out and approved by the courts. Some form of joint legal custody is always preferred by the court, however, in cases involving child abuse or abandonment, sole custody can, and should be sought. Typically, one parent is the primary custodial parent and has physical custody of the child, while the other parent receives liberal visitation rights.

Custody is not presumed by the court to go either to the mother or the father. Rather, the sole determining factor is the best interests of the child. We work closely with parents to develop parenting plans that protect the parental rights of both parents and in some cases, we may include provisions for protecting grandparent's rights into parenting plans. We also provide representation in matters involving modification of child custody orders.

Contact our Skilled Child Custody and Visitation Lawyers

If you are considering divorce and have questions about child custody or visitation, please contact Gina H. McDonald & Associates, L.L.C. We can be reached by phone at (205) 453-4497, by e-mail, or by filling out the confidential in-take form on our Contact Us page.