Leominster Child Custody Lawyers

Whether you are seeking a divorce or resolution of a paternity claim, custody issues involving minor children can quickly become complex. We are experienced in litigating custody cases between parents who are divorcing or those who were never married (often called paternity actions).

Attorney Robert A. Antonioni and attorney Robert A. Mason appear in the probate and family court on a weekly basis, where custody cases are determined. We are known and respected by the judges who sit on these cases, and the area attorneys who practice in this area. This familiarity with the court environment where custody cases are resolved is invaluable to our clients.

Attorney Robert A. Antonioni has litigated hundreds of cases where custody of one or more minor children have been involved, and he has provided his clients with a steady presence and practical advice in these contentious situations.

Custody of the minor children will determine:

Where a child will reside on a daily or weekly basis
Whether there will be primary (day-to-day) custody of the minor children by both parents, often known as joint physical custody
Whether one party will have primary (day-to-day) custody of the minor children, known as sole physical custody
Whether both parties will have joint legal custody and be involved in the major decisions parents are called to make for their children, including religious upbringing, health care, school and educational placements, day care placement, social and sports involvement for the child(ren), and the like
The naming of a child, and
How parenting time will be split between a custodial and noncustodial parent, often called visitation rights

Massachusetts Child Visitation Attorneys

Child custody determinations are closely related to issues concerning co-parenting and visitation. In nearly every case where one party is assigned sole physical custody, the courts will determine a schedule of parenting time for the noncustodial parent (the parent who does not have day-to-day oversight of the minor children). We are experienced in mediating and litigating often contentious child custody cases involving these issues, and crafting agreements for parties involving daily and weekly parenting time with minor children.

Visitation related matters often include the following:

The initiation, or re-establishment of visitation rights between a parent and minor children
Drug and alcohol testing
Daily or weekly time with minor children
Weekend visitation
Allocation of holidays
School and summer vacations
Vacations or temporary trips outside of Massachusetts or the United States
Transportation of children to and from both parents, school and work and children's extracurricular activities

Child custody and visitation issues can be difficult for all parties involved — emotionally and financially. The attorneys at Antonioni & Antonioni Law Office work to resolve matters quickly to keep our fees reasonable, and get you through the process and on to your new life.

Whether you are facing a divorce, modification of a prior divorce or custody order, or facing a unique custody situation, you need an experienced attorney who can protect your rights and the best interests of your children.

Antonioni & Antonioni Law Office has extensive experience handling custody disputes. We will take the time to understand your individual needs and work strategically to achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

To arrange a free, initial legal consultation with our Leominster child custody attorney, please call 978-401-0823 or contact us by e-mail. You are under no obligation to retain our services.

Advocacy for You and Your Child

In a custody dispute, it is critical that your attorney is able to align your interests with the best interests of your child. Massachusetts law specifically provides that all child custody-related matters shall be made in the best interest of the minor child. It is important that you obtain the best attorney to protect your children's interests in contentious litigation, or a permanent separation from your spouse or partner. Our lawyers are experienced in handling a wide range of child custody cases, including disputes involving:

Modifications
Relocation of a party outside of Massachusetts with a minor child(ren)
Appointment of a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of a minor child or determination of custody placement
Drug and alcohol testing
Fathers' rights
Unmarried parents
Grandparents' rights
Stepparent custody rights/adoption
Visitation and parenting time

Massachusetts DNA Paternity Testing Lawyer

A paternity suit arises when a child's father is unknown and a mother is seeking child support, or a parent is fighting financial obligations related to the child, or he/she is seeking custody and/or visitation rights. Sometimes paternity cases are initiated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts because the custodial parent is receiving state assistance. In any case, matters can quickly become contentious and complicated.

If you are facing a paternity suit or you are pursuing a paternity action, it is important to know your rights and the legal ramifications of the outcome.

To arrange a free and confidential, initial legal consultation with our Leominster paternity lawyer, please call 978-401-0823 or contact us by e-mail. You are under no obligation to retain our services.

Antonioni & Antonioni Law Office also has extensive experience handling a wide range of complex family legal disputes, which include DNA testing. These cases can have a significant impact on the legal rights and financial obligations of both parties. If the results of the DNA test are positive, both parties will be obligated to a lifelong agreement. This is one of many reasons to ensure that your case is handled by an experienced paternity lawyer.

For more than 25 years, attorney Robert A. Antonioni has represented clients in paternity cases involving:

Right to collect child support
Right to visitation or custody
Rights involved in seeking or defending a paternity claim
Rights involved in seeking or defending against a claim for DNA testing
Naming or changing the name of a child
Grandparents' rights
Fathers' rights
Tax deductions/tax consequences
Responsibility for health care
College tuition and other educational costs

Protect Your Rights — Now and in the Future

Men who have taken responsibility as the child's father without paternity testing may find it difficult to escape child support obligations — even if a future test proves that they are not the fathers. Similarly, it is critical that pregnant mothers or mothers of newborns establish paternity from the outset to protect the financial well-being of their children.

We can take action to protect your rights, as well as the rights of your child.