Maine High-Conflict Child Custody Lawyers

Sometimes it is possible for parents to work together to meet the needs and best interests of their children. Other times, high-conflict situations arise regarding the location, custody, activities, visitation, safety, and well-being of the children.

If you are involved in a high-conflict situation involving your children, a Family Law Trial Lawyer will be able to advise you on Maine’s laws and advocate for you in Court in order to resolve these stressful and complicated issues. High-Conflict Child Custody issues may include the following:

• Contempt of Court Order
• Failure to Pay Child Support
• Child Abduction
• Parental Alienation
• Domestic Violence
• Child Abuse or Neglect

Often, these issues are time-sensitive. A Family Law Trial Lawyer will help you file an emergency petition with the Court to ensure the safety and well-being of your children.

Child Abduction

You may find yourself in a situation where the other parent is threatening to harm your child or remove your child from the state of Maine.

When a parent files a petition seeking the enforcement of a Child Custody Order, the parent may also file an application for the issuance of a warrant in order to take physical custody of a child if the child is in immediate danger of physical harm or of being removed from Maine. Unless it is impossible, that petition must be addressed on the next judicial following the execution of the warrant. The following information must be included in the warrant:

• State the facts regarding the conclusion of immediate danger of serious physical harm or removal from the state
• Instruct law enforcement to take custody of the child immediately
• Provide specific placement of the child pending a final decision

Child Abuse & Neglect

As a parent, you have the duty to ensure the physical and emotional health of the child. Your child, however, may be subject to abuse or neglect if one of the parents exhibits the following behaviors:

• Causing physical or bodily harm to the child
• Sexually abuse
• Exposing the child to substance abuse or domestic violence
• Creating unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
• Failing to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, or medical care for the child
• Threatening harm to the child
• Verbal abuse

The existence of any of the above behaviors may warrant an emergency petition with the Court to ensure the safety and well-being of your child. A Family Law Trial Lawyer will help you select the most appropriate course of action for your specific circumstances.