Louisiana Child Custody and Child Visitation

Among the issues that parents raising children must address are the matters of child custody and child visitation. Louisiana courts hope that families can come to a compromise on child custody and child visitation issues, but they will not hesitate to make these difficult decisions if a compromise is not made. When courts make child custody and child visitation decisions, they will make sure that each decision is in accordance with the best interests of the child. When determining the child's best interests, courts will consider a variety of different factors. These factors and other relevant provisions of Louisiana law are provided below. Understanding child custody and child visitation in Louisiana can be a complicated and emotional matter, it is highly recommended that one consult a Louisiana child custody attorney with any questions or concerns.

Louisiana Child Custody

Louisiana courts will appoint child custody by determining what custody situation is in the best interests of the child. If the parents come to a custody agreement, then the court will honor this agreement unless doing so would not be in the best interests of the child. A number of factors will assessed when determining the child's best interest in Louisiana. These factors include:

• Love, affection, and other emotional ties between each parent and the child
• Each parent's capacity to continue to give the child love, affection, and spiritual guidance
• Each parent's ability to provide the child with food, clothing, and other necessities
• The length of time the child has lived in a stable, adequate environment, and the desirability of continuing that environment
• The permanence of the existing or proposed custodial home or homes
• Each parent's moral fitness
• Each parent's physical and mental health
• The child's adaptability to the home, school, and community
• The child's reasonable preference
• Each parent's willingness and ability to facilitate a b relationship between the child and other parent
• The distance between each party

If awarding joint custody or sole custody to either parent would result in substantial harm to the child, then the court will appoint child custody to another person who can provide the child a stable and adequate environment.

Child custody proceedings in Louisiana determine how much say you have in your child's upbringing. Due to this high level of importance, one should consult a Louisiana child custody attorney before entering such proceedings.

Louisiana Child Visitation Rights

A noncustodial parent or nonparent's right to visit and spend time with the child is called visitation rights. A noncustodial parent is typically entitled to reasonable visitation rights if the court finds that is in the best interests of the child.

In determining the best interests of the child for visitation rights purposes, the Louisiana court could consider the following:
a) the length and quality of the prior relationship between the child and the relative;
b) the child's spiritual guidance and which relative can best provide such guidance;
c) the child's reasonable preferences;
d) the willingness of each parent to facilitate a b and continuing relationship between the child and the other parent; and
e) the child's mental and physical well-being.

Once an agreement on child visitation is reached, the court will create a visitation schedule that must be followed. A parent may deviate from the visitation schedule if good cause is shown.

When attempting to receive child visitation rights, it is crucial for one to understand all of his or her rights and responsibilities. Therefore, you should not hesitate to seek the advice of a Louisiana child custody attorney with experience working on child visitation rights.

Louisiana Civil Code

Child Custody and Visitation Rights

1. Louisiana Child Custody

1. CC 131-134

2. Louisiana Visitation Rights

1. CC 136, 136.1, 137