Serving New Hampshire and Massachusetts

Child custody is often the most challenging aspect of any divorce. While most of us are willing to compromise on money or property, we are not willing to let go of time with our children. As such, an otherwise successful negotiation can break down over child custody and visitation disputes.

You need a family lawyer who can adapt to your circumstances as they evolve. At Lydon Law, we start from the premise that an agreement can be reached through negotiation, and that this is preferable. However, if your co-parent refuses to negotiate in good faith, we have the experience and expertise to take your case to court.

What Is Best For The Children?

In New Hampshire and Massachusetts, courts are required to make child custody decisions guided by the best interests of the children. What that means in any given case is not always clear. Increasingly, courts seek to keep both parents actively involved in their children’s lives after divorce, even if time with each parent is not allocated equally.

In many cases, parents can reach an agreement on their own, resulting in a custody arrangement that works well and avoids exposing the children to the conflict. But if you have a compelling reason to seek sole or primary custody and believe your spouse will not cooperate, litigation may be the only option. Our lawyers are fervent advocates who will fight to ensure the court fully understands the unique dynamics of your family situation.

Parental Rights

At Lydon Law, we know that legal issues relating to children can be stressful. Our lawyers help mothers and fathers, legal guardians, grandparents, and others with all aspects of parental rights. We understand the challenge these issues present and their sensitive and emotional nature. We provide compassionate legal representation and thoughtful advice and guidance to help clients navigate the most complex child custody and parental rights matters.

Termination of Parental Rights

New Hampshire and Massachusetts each have specific procedures for terminating parental rights. Nonetheless, the process can be confusing. The child custody lawyers at Lydon Law can answer your questions and help you navigate the process for terminating a parent’s rights.

Parental rights can be voluntarily terminated if both parents agree to terminate one biological parent’s rights. A petition for termination of parental rights may be contested if one parent does not wish to have their parental rights terminated.

A petition to terminate parental rights can be filed by a parent, guardian, or other family member, or by a representative from a child welfare agency. Generally, the court will only consider a parent’s request to terminate their own parental rights in limited circumstances, such as when someone else, such as a stepparent, wishes to adopt the child.

Regardless of the reason for seeking a termination of parental rights, the process will include an investigation and hearing. Guided by the best interests of the child, the judge will evaluate the evidence and enter an order granting or denying the request to terminate parental rights.

Recognition of Parentage and Establishing Paternity

Recognition of parentage can be established by marriage, Affidavit of Paternity, or court order. There are many reasons to establish paternity for a child, including:

• To establish a relationship between father and child
• So the child receives the father’s financial benefits, such as health insurance, social security, pension, veterans’ benefits, and child support
• To establish the child’s right to receive an inheritance from the father
• To know of any health conditions that may exist in the father’s family that may or may not show up at birth or in childhood
• To establish a sense of identity and belonging

If a child’s mother and father are not married, they can establish paternity by completing an Affidavit of Paternity or by filing a petition with the court to establish paternity. If you are the father of a child or believe you may be the father of an unborn child, it is important to understand your legal rights and obligations. If you wish to seek custody or visitation rights, you must first establish paternity. If you are a mother of a child, you may wish to establish paternity to ensure the child’s father fulfills his responsibilities to the child, to formalize the father’s role and responsibilities in the child’s life, and if you wish to receive child support payments.

Experienced Child Custody Lawyers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts

The family law attorneys at Lydon Law are ready to represent you in all family law matters and specifically those related to child custody, visitation, and child support, including:

• Modification of custody orders
• Parental relocation (move-away cases)
• Child support
• Enforcement of court orders
• Concerns about domestic violence