Custody and visitation agreements that work for your family

Without a doubt, your relationship with your children is the most important part of your life. Going through a divorce often jeopardizes that relationship, and many parents worry they will not be able to spend as much meaningful time with their children post-divorce.

These are understandable fears, but they are not necessarily founded in reality. Family courts throughout the United States recognize the importance of strong parent-child relationships for both mothers and fathers. Mothers are no longer assumed to get primary custody of the children in a divorce.

Serving North Dakota and Minnesota

Our team at Brazil Law Office, PLLC in Fargo can protect your parental rights and visitation rights to pursue parenting plans that work for you. Contact Attorney Tressie Brazil via email or call 701-297-2298 to arrange a consultation.

The best interest of the child

Courts consider a variety of factors focused around the best interests of the child when determining legal and physical child custody and parenting time (visitation) arrangements. Some of these factors include:

• Emotional ties between the children and each parent
• Proximity to extended family members and the value of having an extended family nearby
• Access to education and whether or not a child will have to change schools
• Instances of abuse or neglect
• The ability of each parent to provide a stable home
• The opinions of the child if he or she has a level of maturity showing the ability to make wise and informed decisions (typically demonstrated by behavior, academic records, etc.)

Developing a lasting plan that works for your family

At Brazil Law Office, PLLC, we are primarily concerned about the best interests of the child when it comes to divorce proceedings. That is why many cases are approached with a cooperative mindset.

We aim to foster positive relationships between all parties in a divorce so that even separated spouses can have a cohesive approach to parenting — something that is crucial to the emotional and developmental well-being of children involved in divorce.

Protecting your loved ones when divorce is threatening your relationship

Still, some divorce cases involve serious safety and security concerns. Perhaps one parent has drug or alcohol abuse issues. Maybe domestic violence and neglect are worrisome. Maybe our clients need protection from false accusations of unfit parenting. These cases require strong, persistent and persuasive advocacy from an experienced lawyer. Tressie Brazil can help.