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Lewiston Child Custody Attorney
Lewiston is a city in Idaho, as well as the county seat of Nez Perce County, located in the north-central region of the state. Lewiston is the second-largest city in Northern Idaho and the ninth-largest state in the entire state of Idaho. Lewiston is considered an outdoor paradise by many, thanks to its year-round mild climates in the Lewis-Clark Valley. Visitors and residents alike can delight in a venture by boat to a deep river gorge, tracing the steps of explorers Lewis and Clark. The Gateway to Hells Canyon is south of Lewiston, and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area offers many opportunities for outdoor adventure such as hiking, fishing, picnicking, and river rafting.
Salmon River Canyons offer a breathtaking area where families can raft and swim on the largest river without a dam in the entire United States. You can discover the history of the Nez Perce Tribe by visiting the Nez Perce National Historical Park. Others might enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the historic downtown Lewiston region. The tree-lined Mainstreet offers a wide variety of eclectic shopping experiences, and when you are ready for a break, consider visiting one of the local distilleries, breweries, or wineries. While Lewiston may be a veritable paradise for families who value outdoor experiences, like any city, it has its share of problems, including divorce and child custody issues.
Can an Idaho Child Custody Agreement Be Modified?
Under certain circumstances, a child custody agreement may be modified, but for a judge to agree to hear an argument for modification, the current agreement must have been in place for a significant length of time, and the parent asking for the modification must be able to show a change in circumstances that warrants a modification. Modifications are often made when one parent wants to move out of the area, or when one parent has experienced a substantial change in his or her work schedule. A modification could also be asked for when there has been a change in the child’s level of safety in a parent’s home. Changes in the ability to work or a large change in a parent’s level of income could call for a modification of the child support order.
Child Custody Law in Lewiston, Idaho
Idaho Law operates under the theory that child custody should always reflect the best interests of the child. To this end, the judge will consider a variety of issues, assuming the parents are unable to come to a mutually agreeable custody arrangement (you will be given that opportunity). These issues include:
- The wishes of the child, only if the judge deems him or her old enough and mature enough to make the choice
- How well the child is able to make adjustments to home, school, and community
- The mental and physical health of each parent
- Whether there is a history of domestic violence in the family
- Whether the child has ever been a part of, or witnessed domestic violence in the home
- The relationship the child has with his or her parents, siblings, and extended family
- Which custody arrangement will maintain the highest level of stability for the child
- How well-suited both parents are to be responsible for the child
- Whether either parent has issues that could hinder their ability to take care of the child
- The parents’ wishes
The judge will be deciding on legal custody and physical custody. Physical custody dictates where the child primarily lives unless joint physical custody is awarded. In this case, the child will split his or her time almost equally between the parents. Joint custody can work for many parents but is unlikely to work in situations where the parents have an extremely contentious relationship or live a significant difference from one another. Legal custody has to do with which parent will make major decisions on behalf of the child—such as decisions regarding religion, education, and healthcare. Generally, the parents will share legal custody, unless there are reasons why such an arrangement would not work.
Can an Idaho Child Custody Agreement Be Modified?
Under certain circumstances, a child custody agreement may be modified, but for a judge to agree to hear an argument for modification, the current agreement must have been in place for a significant length of time, and the parent asking for the modification must be able to show a change in circumstances that warrants a modification. Modifications are often made when one parent wants to move out of the area, or when one parent has experienced a substantial change in his or her work schedule. A modification could also be asked for when there has been a change in the child’s level of safety in a parent’s home. Changes in the ability to work or a large change in a parent’s level of income could call for a modification of the child support order.
Call Our Lewiston Child Custody Lawyer
When you file for divorce, it is almost a certainty that many things will come up which require you to make a decision—a decision that could potentially affect the rest of your life. Child custody cases not only affect your life, they affect the life of your child, as well. While everyone surely wants what is best for the child, parents may see that in very different ways. Having a strong Lewiston Child Custody Lawyer on your side, watching your back, throughout your child custody case can be an invaluable resource. Your Idaho child custody attorney will carefully consider your wishes, your circumstances, and the best interests of the child then will work hard to obtain the best solution for all those involved.
We also serve clients throughout Lewiston, and surrounding suburbs such as: