St. Louis Child Custody and Support Lawyer
Divorce can be tough on kids in the best of circumstances. No one benefits from a lengthy, expensive, and emotionally draining custody battle-least of all the children. Attorney Kathleen Shaul has substantial experience handling child custody and support disputes in Missouri courts and she is available to help you.
Kathleen Shaul is passionate about children and their rights. In her role as guardian ad litem, she advocates solely for the rights and best interests of children in court. She is just as concerned about her clients' children and works with them to minimize the financial and emotional impact of a divorce.
If you need experienced legal representation in a child custody or child support matter, call 314-863-9955 or contact the Law Offices of Kathleen Shaul to arrange an initial consultation.
Child Custody, Visitation, and Parenting Plans
There are many confusing terms regarding child custody:
Physical Custody refers to where the child actually lives. A parent who has physical custody of the child is called the physical custodian or custodial parent and has responsibility for the day to day care of the child. Sole physical custody is when the child lives primarily with one parent and joint physical custody is when the child lives with both parents.
Legal Custody refers to making decisions about how the child will be raised, and includes decisions about the child's education and schooling, health and medical care, and religion. In Missouri, joint legal custody is preferred by the courts unless there are compelling reasons why the parties should not jointly make decisions about important child rearing questions.
The area of child custody and the types of parenting arrangements after divorce are changing. In the past, one parent (usually the mother) was generally always given "physical custody" of the child or children and the other parent (usually the father) was generally given "visitation" rights. This type of custody arrangement still works for many couples.
However, divorcing spouses, if they so desire, are now able to craft their own parenting plans which address issues such as: where the child will live, the amount of time each parent will spend with the child, where the child will spend holidays and vacations, which parent will make certain decisions, and who will pay child support and how much.
There are benefits to the entire family if the parents can voluntarily reach agreement on child custody and support through negotiation or mediation. If the parents cannot reach an agreement, a custody evaluation usually will be ordered to determine what custody arrangement is in the best interest of the children. At trial, both parents present evidence on the custody issues and the court then makes the award of custody it thinks is in the children's best interests. In matters of child custody, the best interests of the children must be everyone's number one priority.
Calculation of Child Support
In Missouri, child support is determined by using the Missouri Child Support Guidelines and the amount of child support is dependent upon the family's individual circumstances. The guidelines take into consideration both parents' incomes, the number of children, which parent has physical custody of the child or children, the costs of day care, the cost of health insurance, the needs of the children, and other factors. The cost of sending the children to a private school, special medical needs of the children, and other factors influence the amount of child support ordered.
Modification of Child Custody and Child Support
One thing that never changes is "Things Change". Following a divorce, one party may want to change or modify child custody arrangements or the amount of child support paid. Changes justifying a change of custody might include a relocation of the non-custodial parent, a request by the custodial parent to relocate or move away, danger to the child in the current home, or a teenager's reasonable wish to live with the other parent. Child support may need to be changed if there is a change in custody, a significant increase or decrease in either parent's income, or there is a change in the child's needs.
Attorney Kathleen Shaul has the experience, knowledge, and commitment to provide you solid legal advice and representation in an initial determination of child custody or support, or when you find it necessary to seek a child support modification or change of custody because of changed circumstances.
Ms. Shaul has extensive experience in family law and is a successful trial lawyer in child custody and support issues. She is concerned for your welfare and for the welfare of your children. As a result, she will do everything legally and ethically possible to help you obtain the assistance you need.
To speak with an experienced and caring divorce lawyer about child custody and support or any other family law matter, call 314-863-9955 or contact the St. Louis Law Offices of Kathleen E. Shaul.
Parenting Plan - Basic Father
Parenting Plan - Basic Mother
The Law Offices of Kathleen E. Shaul, P.C.
7710 Carondelet Avenue
Suite 401
St. Louis, MO 63105
Phone: 314-863-9955
Fax: 314-863-9933
The Law Offices of Kathleen Shaul serves residents of the state of Missouri, including the cities of St. Louis, West End of St. Louis, Ballwin, Brentwood, Bridgeton, Chesterfield, Clayton, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Ellisville, Fenton, Florissant, Kirkwood, Ladue, Manchester, Maplewood, Maryland Heights, Mehlville, Oakville, O'Fallon, Richmond Heights, St. Charles, St. Peters, Town and Country, University City, Warson Woods, West County, Wild Wood, and the following counties: St. Louis County, St. Louis City County, Franklin County, Jefferson County, Lincoln County, and St. Charles County.
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