Children born out of wedlock still deserve both of their parents in their lives. At the Law Offices of Lawrence W. Henke, III in Dayton, OH, family law is a large part of the services they provide. Children benefit from having both their mother and father involved as much as possible, regardless of whether or not they were or continue to be married. Child custody is one aspect of family law where an attorney may assist.

Establishing child custody starts with paternity. If a parent is on the birth certificate, they are automatically considered the parent unless a DNA test proves otherwise. After paternity has been determined as correct, each side works to determine the custody arrangement most appropriate for the child. If there are no issues regarding mental health, drugs, felonies, or other concerns, the courts may suggest a joint custody arrangement in which both parents have equal time with the child whenever possible. If there are other issues at hand, an attorney will assist with providing proper evidence through the courts to show the judge what might affect a normal custody arrangement.

There are two types of custody to be determined — legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is the right to make medical, educational, and religious decisions for the child. Physical custody decides who the child lives with the majority of the time. This establishes the custodial and non-custodial parent through the courts.

Child custody is in-depth and should be handled by an experienced family law attorney who has experience in divorce law and custody concerns. If you reside in the Dayton area and want to arrange custody for your child or children, contact the Law Offices of Lawrence W. Henke, III today by calling (937) 461-9330. You can also find the attorneys online.