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Lake Norman Child Custody Attorneys

Pursuing Your Child's Best Interests. Protecting Your Parental Rights.

As a parent, we know that you want the best for your child. Engaging in a custody battle with a co-parent can be nerve-wracking, particularly if you disagree with your co-parent on how to handle custody and the case could impact your relationship with your child in the foreseeable future.

At Blood Law, PLLC, our Lake Norman child custody lawyers will work closely with you throughout your custody battle to ensure your parental rights and your child's best interests remain protected.

To schedule a consultation with an experienced child custody lawyer near you, contact us online or via phone at (704) 387-6090.

Understanding Legal & Physical Custody in North Carolina

In any custody case, there are two types of custody:

  • Physical custody dictates whether a parent has the right to house their child. Whichever parent has physical custody a majority of the time is generally referred to as the "custodial parent" in child custody disputes.
  • Legal custody dictates whether a parent can make judgments that affect their child's rights, such as where they go to school, what kind of medical care they receive, what religions they are exposed to, etc.

Courts typically recognize two types of custody arrangements:

  1. Joint custody. In a joint custody arrangement, both parents have legal and (typically) physical custody.
  2. Sole custody. In a sole custody arrangement, one only parent may have legal or physical custody.

Generally, courts default to joint custody arrangements under the assumption that it's beneficial for a child to spend time with both parents regularly. However, if the court decides that one parent is unfit to care for a child, they may award the other parent with sole custody. A parent may be considered unfit if they engage in behavior such as domestic abuse or neglect, cannot offer the child a safe living arrangement, or consistently fail to act in a way that demonstrates they care for the child's best interests.

How much time a child spends living with either parent is governed by the visitation arrangement (also often called a parenting plan) established during the custody case.

What Should I Expect from My Custody Case?

In most custody disputes, parents have a few options when it comes to deciding how they want to distribute custody.

If the parents agree on terms for a custody arrangement, they can draft and sign a custody agreement (often with the help of attorneys) dictating those terms. This agreement includes details such as how the parents agree to act around the child, what parenting behaviors are acceptable, and how the child will share time between the parents during the school year, on summer break, across holidays, etc.

The judge presiding over the case will assess the agreement. If the court determines the agreement is equitable, it may finalize it, issuing a court order that incorporates the terms of the custody agreement and effectively signing it into law.

If the parents disagree on how to approach custody, they may need to take their case to court. They will attend a hearing, at which point each parent can present a proposed visitation arrangement to the court. After hearing from both parents (and the child, if they're old enough), the court will draft a custody order it considers fair for the parties and sign it, finalizing the custody arrangement.

Factors courts consider during custody cases include:

  • The child's relationship with each parent;
  • The child's preferences (if they're old and mature enough to give input);
  • Each parent's history with the child;
  • Each parent's financial status and ability to provide a safe living space for the child;
  • The child's physical and mental health;
  • The parents' physical and mental health;
  • The child's educational, temperamental, and developmental needs;
  • How a proposed custody arrangement may impact the child's personal life and development;
  • How a proposed custody arrangement may impact each parent's relationship with the child;
  • Any other factors the court considers relevant to the case.

Over time, many custody orders become outdated. If you feel the terms of your custody arrangement are no longer fair or either party has experienced a substantial change in circumstances that may warrant adjusting the custody order, you can file an order modification case with the court.

At Blood Law, PLLC, our team can help you find the best path forward in your custody arrangement.

To schedule a consultation with a lawyer who will fight for your child's rights and interests in and out of court, contact us online or via phone at (704) 387-6090.

Our Promise To Our Clients

  • Convenient Locations

    With offices in Charlotte, Waxhaw, Lake Norman, Cary & Fort Mill, we make it easier for families across North Carolina & South Carolina to find quality counsel.

  • Children Come First
    With the complexities of family law, we put the well-being and safety of your children at the forefront of your case.
  • Team-Driven Environment
    When you work with Blood Law, PLLC, you work with our entire team. Everyone is here to support you through each step.
  • Honest Guidance
    We create personalized plans for each client while setting realistic expectations on the possible outcomes of the case.

Our Clients Tell Their Stories

These Stories Are What Keep Us Going
    "Anna guided me through the entire process and answered all of my questions and concerns quickly."
    She cares about you as a friend, not just as a client. I highly recommend Anna Blood and her legal team as they are INCREDIBLE and a winning team of pros!
    - Debra K.
    "I’m extremely grateful for Anna's help in my time of need."
    Wonderful boutique law firm! Great service along with great communication. I’m extremely grateful for Anna's help in my time of need.
    - Olivia L.
    "Anna is very knowledgeable of the law as well as the local courts and judges."
    I owe so much gratitude to Anna Blood for her assistance in my divorce. Anna is very knowledgeable of the law as well as the local courts and judges. I am so excited that she has opened an office in Charlotte that is closer to those of us in Mecklenburg County! Definitely contact Blood Law if you need a caring, dedicated attorney.
    - Penny N.
    "From the first interaction to the last, you will be in great hands the entire way."
    Blood Law welcomes each client and prospective client with warmth and great understanding. From the first interaction to the last, you will be in great hands the entire way. They keep you informed throughout the entire process, and lead with experience. The staff at Blood Law will exceed your expectations!
    - Former Client
    "They fought for me and my children in and outside of the courtroom."
    Anna Blood and her team and phenomenal. They fought for me and my children in and outside of the courtroom. I would highly recommend Blood Law for your any family law issues!!
    - Liz D.
    "Anna is an extremely trustworthy and understanding individual, which is very beneficial to any sticky family law situation you may find yourself dealing with."
    Anna is an extremely trustworthy and understanding individual, which is very beneficial to any sticky family law situation you may find yourself dealing with. She is very attentive and focused on helping her clients come to a quick and easy resolution. She’s not the kind of lawyer who will drag things on just to get more money.
    - Sean F.
    "She will give you the best professional guidance and protect your legal interests."
    Anna and her team is such a joy to work with! Not only is she extremely talented, she is down to earth and understanding which is a really important quality when communicating with clients. She will give you the best professional guidance and protect your legal interests.
    - Jennifer W.
    "A phenomenal, understanding and dedicated attorney, but yet an even better person."
    Anna really helped me out during a situation that wasn't necessarily easy to get through. A phenomenal, understanding and dedicated attorney, but yet an even better person. I would truly recommend her to anyone that has to deal with any situation similar dealing with family law to mine!
    - Former Client

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