2 Same-Sex Child Custody Cases Make National Headlines

Child custody is often a contentious issue, particularly when one of the spouses contests it. Child custody laws vary from state to state, and in Florida, there are two primary custody types: shared custody and physical custody.

 

Judges will always make a decision based on the child’s best interests, but in many cases, this is not a simple variable to define. With more than 14 million single-parent households in America, according to research by the United States Census, it is clear that this is a vast and complex issue that courts face each day.

If you are looking for a Fort Myers child custody lawyer to assist you in your specific case, the Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A. can help. We offer a wide range of family law services and have many years of child custody experience, and there is no reason why you should struggle through the process without professional support and guidance. To schedule a free consultation and talk to an attorney, give us a call today at 866-949-0888.

New Charges in Custody Kidnapping Case

The New York Times reports that there are new charges in a high-profile kidnapping case. The article states that police charged a man with conspiracy and kidnapping more than five years after a mother left the United States to avoid a custody battle with her lesbian partner.

Police now accuse the man, who is a conservative Christian businessman, of assisting the woman in the kidnapping process. They say he drove her and her young child across the country in 2009 and helped them cross the border into Canada.

The man appeared in federal court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He handed his passport over to the court, but a trial date has yet to be set.

Conservative Christians allegedly assisted the woman with leaving the country with her daughter in order to help her escape what they said was a sinful, homosexual lifestyle. The child’s other mother has said she misses her daughter and believes she at least has a right to shared custody. She has urged anyone with information on her ex-partner or daughter to contact law enforcement authorities.

Custody Battle Complications After Same-Sex Couple Breakup

The New York Times reports that a woman faces a complicated child custody battle because courts do not legally recognize her as the child’s mother. The mother, who is seeking custody of the young boy, discovered the limitations of the law when she applied for custody of the child she adopted with her partner.

The judge in the case acknowledged the injustice of the decision and said that if the woman was a man, the decision may well be different. Ultimately, the woman left the trial unable to have contact with the child, despite the fact that she played an integral role in his upbringing.

If you are going through a child custody battle and you are looking for a Fort Myers custody lawyer, give The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A. a call today at 866-949-0888.