Being deemed an unfit parent is frustrating, as you want to be able to see your children. Luckily, if you were denied custody, our Montgomery County unfit parent defense lawyer may be able to help you get your parental rights back.
When you hire our Montgomery County child and youth services lawyer, we can explain your legal options and help you prove you are not an unfit parent. Our legal team can collect evidence and build a defense strategy that proves you deserve the right to custody over your children. You can learn more about working with us when you reach out for a confidential consultation.
How Our Montgomery County Unfit Parent Defense Attorney Can Advocate for You
Being barred from visiting your children can take a toll on your quality of life and mental well-being. If you are denied custody or visitation rights, our team of compassionate child custody lawyers can help you by:
Communicating with other parties involved in your case
Bringing your case to court
Explaining which Montgomery County laws apply to your child custody issues
Gathering evidence that proves you are fit to be a parent
Answering any questions you have throughout the legal process
Preparing you for any court hearings
Completing any of the paperwork necessary to apply for custody of your children
Providing emotional support and advocacy throughout your case
Explaining the types of child custody, such as physical custody and legal custody
You do not need to navigate the complex legal system by yourself. Our Montgomery County criminal defense lawyers will support you throughout your child custody matters.
“Excellence in EVERY sense of the word! From the initial Consultation to the Hearings and Conclusion of the case, David McKenzie kept me extremely informed, aware of all possible outcomes and plays, and ultimately resolved my case with the best possible outcome, in my favor! Hands down, he is the absolute BEST!” -Teresa Gibbs
“David is the man! He shares upfront the good and worse outcomes possible depending on your situation. He goes above and beyond to get the best results for his clients. He understands the legality of case law. He turned a bad situation around into outstanding results. If you need a lawyer he is the one, and his price is reasonable and worth every penny you spend.” – P. Thomas
If you want to learn more about working with our child custody attorneys, you can call us to speak with a member of our team today.
What Makes Someone an Unfit Parent?
Generally, the following factors make someone unfit to properly parent their child:
Abusiveness, including sexual abuse
Addiction to drugs or alcohol
Severe mental illness
Domestic violence
Neglect
If you are accused of these or any other instances of negligent parenting, you can hire our law firm for legal guidance. We may be able to help you come to a custody agreement that allows you to spend time with your children.
Types of Child Custody Our Unfit Parent Defense Lawyer Can Help You Seek
In Montgomery County, 53 Pa. C.S.A. § 5323 outlines the different types of custody arrangements that may be awarded. We could help you seek a custody agreement such as:
Shared physical custody: More than one person has physical joint custody over the child. Each person with custody is allowed a significant period of time with the child or children.
Primary physical custody: One person has physical custody for more time than the other.
Partial physical custody: One person is allowed physical custody of the child for less than a majority of the time.
Sole physical custody: Only one person has physical sole custody over the child.
Supervised physical custody: A court-appointed adult or agency monitors visits between the child and the person awarded custody.
Shared legal custody: More than one person has legal custody over the child, meaning they can make major medical and educational decisions for the child.
Sole legal custody: Only one person has legal custody over the child.
Factors the Court Will Consider Before Determining If You Can Have Custody of Your Child
As we build your case, we must work to prove you are fit to take care of your child or children. Per 53 Pa. C.S.A. § 5323, the court will consider the following factors before granting custody:
The best interests of the child, such as where they will be safe
Any present or past abuse you committed
The parental tasks you perform for your child
Your child’s need for a stable environment in school, at home, and in their community
Any siblings or family relationships that may be affected by the custody agreement
Who is most likely to love, nurture, and maintain stability for the child
Where you live
Your availability to take care of your child
Your history of substance abuse
Any conflict between you and the other parties who care for your child
Your mental and physical state
Defenses We Can Use to Prove You Deserve Time With Your Children
If you hire us as your legal representation, we can build a case in your defense and work to settle your child custody dispute. To do this, we must prove you are fit to be a parent.
We will gather evidence such as:
Statements from your peers describing your positive parental influence
Statements from your child’s teacher or school officials describing your relationship with your child
Medical records that show you are not taking any drugs or drinking excessively
Statements from your medical care providers detailing your mental and physical health
The team at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. has your best interests in mind. We will work tirelessly to prove you are not unfit to care for your children.
Call Our Firm in Montgomery County for Help Proving You Are Fit to Be a Parent
As a parent, you have legal rights. Our team can help you reach a fair child custody agreement that allows you to spend time with your loved ones.
Call us today for child custody legal advice. During a confidential consultation, we can explain your legal options.
