To get custody of a child, you’ll need to file paperwork with the court. Because custody cases are nuanced and the wellbeing of children is at stake, we highly recommend working with an experienced lawyer who will keep the best interests of you and your children in mind. 

This depends on whether or not the children’s parents were married when the child was born. If the parents were unmarried when the child was born, in most states, primary custody is automatically awarded to the mother. 

If you were married when the child was born, you and your spouse will automatically share joint legal and physical custody over your child. 

You’ll need to file a complaint for custody. Before you do this, you need to determine whether your case will be heard in domestic relations court or juvenile court. This varies case-by-case, and we always recommend working with a lawyer to figure out what the best course of action is for your case. 

In order to claim the right to know where your child is during visitation, you need a custody order that states each parent is obligated to disclose their child’s whereabouts to the other parent during visitation time. 

If you do not have a custody order, the other parent is not legally required to share this information with you. This is one of the many reasons it’s advisable to work with a lawyer. 

No two custody cases are the same, so it’s difficult to determine an average cost. At Marble Law, you’ll work with an experienced team that will take your case one step at a time. Together, we'll create a strategy you feel confident about.

At Marble Law, you only hire us for the services you need—as you need them. Each service has a clear price, so you always know what’s included and what it costs in advance. Depending on your specific needs, we may recommend more services, but unlike traditional law firms, only you can approve which steps we take and when we take them. So you’ll never receive any surprise bills from us.

While it’s possible to file for custody without a lawyer, custody cases can be nuanced–and the wellbeing of your child is at stake. We always recommend working with an experienced lawyer who has been through the process and is familiar with the courts for the best resolution possible.

If one parent violates the custody agreement, the other parent may seek enforcement of the agreement through the court. In extreme cases, a violation of the agreement may result in a modification of the custody arrangement.

You can work with an attorney in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Texas.