Seasoned Famly Lawyers in Alaska Getting Custody For Fathers

At Family Law Center for Men, our Alaska child custody attorneys have extensive experience protecting fathers’ parental rights. Men face specific challenges in custody and visitation cases in Alaska. You do not have to take on the family law system all alone. If you are a father with any questions or concerns about a child custody case or child visitation case, we are here as a resource. Contact our Anchorage law office today to arrange your completely private, no-obligation consultation with a top Alaska child custody lawyer for men. 

In Alaska, paternity—which can be understood simply as legal fatherhood—forms the bedrock of a man’s parental rights. For married men, paternity is generally straightforward. A married man in Alaska has automatic (presumed) paternity for his wife’s child. He can seek custody in a divorce. For unmarried men, paternity can be more complicated. You must establish legal paternity through a joint voluntary acknowledgment or a court order before you can exercise your child custody rights. 

How are child custody determinations made in Alaska? What is best for a kid always takes the top priority. Like most U.S. states, Alaska uses the “best interests of the child” standard. The court evaluates various factors to decide what living arrangements, custody schedules, and parental rights best serve the child’s emotional and physical needs. Some factors include: 

• The physical, emotional, and mental needs of the child.
• The capability and desire of each parent to meet the child’s needs.
• The child’s relationship with each parent.
• Each parent offers the stability of the home environment.
• Any evidence of domestic violence, abuse, or neglect;
• The child’s preferences (if old enough) and
• Any other factor deemed relevant by the court.

Alaska family courts assume shared custody to be inherently in the child’s best interests. The Alaska family law court will generally favor granting both parents split legal custody (decision-making authority) and physical custody (possession of the child). Custody determinations vary on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, in practice, some fathers can face serious challenges when seeking to exercise their custody rights. No matter your circumstances, our Alaska custody lawyers for men are prepared to help you prove that you can provide the best environment for your child.

• (c) The court shall determine custody in accordance with the best interests of the child under AS 25.20.060 – 25.20.130. In determining the best interests of the child the court shall consider
• (1) the physical, emotional, mental, religious, and social needs of the child;
• (2) the capability and desire of each parent to meet these needs;
• (3) the child’s preference if the child is of sufficient age and capacity to form a preference;
• (4) the love and affection existing between the child and each parent;
• (5) the length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity;
• (6) the willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the other parent and the child, except that the court may not consider this willingness and ability if one parent shows that the other parent has sexually assaulted or engaged in domestic violence against the parent or a child, and that a continuing relationship with the other parent will endanger the health or safety of either the parent or the child;
• (7) any evidence of domestic violence, child abuse, or child neglect in the proposed custodial household or a history of violence between the parents;
• (8) evidence that substance abuse by either parent or other members of the household directly affects the emotional or physical well-being of the child;
• (9) other factors that the court considers pertinent.
• (d) In awarding custody the court may consider only those facts that directly affect the well-being of the child.

Fathers want to find a peaceful, workable child custody arrangement. Our family law firm for men always emphasizes helping clients find a collaborative solution whenever possible. Your family can benefit from an amicable custody and visitation agreement that best protects your parental rights and your child. 

At the same time, we also understand that not all fathers are dealing with a reasonable co-parent. Fathers need to know that they have rights. These rights should never be undermined or dismissed. As a trial-tested, justice-driven family law firm for men, we are always ready to take aggressive action to protect a father’s child custody rights. 

Child custody cases are notoriously complex—especially for fathers. At Family Law Center for Men, we are the family law center for men. With a deep understanding of men’s challenges, we are committed to helping you get a fair shake in the legal system. When you contact us at our Anchorage office, you will have a chance to speak to an Alaska child custody attorney who will: 

• Hear your story, answer your custody questions, and explain your options; 
• Investigate the case—gathering all relevant evidence/information; 
• Build a case to show that you can provide the best environment for your child; 
• Represent you in any settlement negotiations with your co-parent and
• Develop a personalized strategy to protect your custody rights as a father.

At Family Law Center for Men, our Alaska child custody attorneys provide men compassionate, reliable, and solutions-focused legal representation. If you are a father with questions about child custody, we are here to help. Contact us right away for a completely confidential initial appointment. We represent fathers in  Alaska for their child custody cases.