Turn To A Raleigh Child Custody Attorney At Hopper Law Office
With more than 30 years of dedicated family law experience, attorney Kevin Hopper has consistently helped maintain Hopper Law Office‘s AV* peer-review rating. Child custody cases are a strong area of focus at this Raleigh family law firm.
The legal team at the firm is fully committed to preserving relationships between parents and children, offering robust legal support to secure fair custody arrangements, which may consist of sole or joint custody.
About Child Custody In North Carolina Family Law
In North Carolina, a child custody order determines who will be legally responsible for a child’s care and control at any given time. When parents divorce, they ideally negotiate custody terms based on what works well in their family. However, disagreements often lead to the need for legal intervention.
North Carolina law mandates that parties attend orientation and mediation to foster a parenting plan aligned with the child’s best interests. Should an agreement prove elusive in a custody case, parents may turn to a judge to determine custody and visitation (parenting time) rights. We are available to guide you through these high-stakes legal processes while putting your best foot forward in any legal format.
Types Of Child Custody In North Carolina
The law recognizes several custody arrangements, including:
- Sole physical custody: One parent is primarily responsible for the child’s day-to-day living.
- Joint physical custody: Parents share time with the child based on a parenting schedule.
- Sole legal custody: One parent makes key decisions about the child’s upbringing.
- Joint legal custody: Both parents collaborate on decisions affecting the child’s life.
Deciding the best custody arrangement for a family depends on various factors, including parental schedules and the child’s stability and well-being. Legal representation can make a difference when it is time for you to show evidence that you are a fit parent and are focused on protecting your child’s best interests.
Maintaining Rights And Relationships During Divorce
Divorce complicates parental roles, with the challenge of maintaining a healthy relationship with children. It’s critical to have legal representation to protect parental rights and navigate custody disputes.
Hopper Law Office supports both mothers and fathers, aiming to minimize stress and ensure that rights are upheld fairly without damaging the co-parenting relationship. Our team emphasizes the importance of spending quality time with children post-divorce.
Protecting Parental Rights
In North Carolina, parents are generally viewed as having equal rights to their children, irrespective of gender. However, these rights can be limited if a parent is deemed to potentially harm the child’s best interests, such as in cases of domestic violence.
We handle a range of related family law matters, including:
- Grandparents’ rights
- Custody and visitation
- Child support
- Paternity issues
- Relocation challenges
Hopper Law Office‘s team advocates for parents in various child-related situations, including:
- When a parent is being prevented from seeing their child
- Noncompliance with visitation orders
- Failure to pay child support
Bring your concerns to our attention to begin strategizing ways to overcome the challenges for your children’s sake.
Defending Against Unfit Parent Accusations
During custody disputes, one parent may be accused of being unfit.
At Hopper Law Office, we assist in addressing and refuting such accusations to prevent unjust loss of custody.
Establishing Paternity
The firm recognizes the importance of a supportive relationship with both parents. We assist both fathers seeking to affirm their parental rights and mothers ensuring financial support through paternity establishment.
At Hopper Law Office, we provide guidance, including DNA testing if necessary.
Let Our Family Law Team Hear From You
At Hopper Law Office, we are committed to helping parents navigate the complexities of child custody and protect their rights through experienced legal assistance. For those facing family law challenges in Raleigh, the firm is ready to offer its resources and guidance.
To discuss your case with a dedicated legal professional, contact us at 919-948-5373 or email us.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.