Child Custody and Child Support

St. Louis Child Custody Attorney

At Diekman & Leightner, we understand that your children are your most important concern. The thought of losing custody or precious parenting time in a custody dispute is unbearable. We offer compassion and understanding to parents going through divorce or separation. However, we also provide the aggressive advocacy necessary to protect their rights and future with their children.

Aggressively Pursuing your Child Custody Goals

Contact our St. Louis, Missouri, law firm for a free consultation.

Our attorneys offer more than 20 years of legal experience. In addition, our understanding of child custody issues is enhanced through certification as a guardian ad litem. We comprehend the lifetime impact a divorce may have on your child and work to alleviate such trauma by working for the best interest of your child and your family.

• Child custody: While child custody is determined based upon the best interests of the child, it is common for courts to award joint custody resulting in equal time with each parent. Parental rights may be further defined in terms of legal custody (decision making rights) and physical custody (the residence of the child).
• Visitation: The parent who is not awarded primary physical custody will, in most cases be awarded visitation time set forth in parenting plans. These parenting plans can be negotiated by the parties involved or set forth by the court.
• Child support: While child support calculations are established by strict child support guidelines in Missouri law, there are additional factors to consider, such as financial support for extracurricular activities, private schooling, sports, daycare expenses, health insurance, life insurance, and other expenses. In addition issues involving visitation credits may be involved to reduce child support payments.
• Other child-related family issues: Our family law attorneys also handle emergency orders, temporary order, child endangerment matters, modifications of child custody or visitation, modifications of child support, and other family law considerations.

Our child custody lawyers offer experienced and caring legal representation while aggressively fighting for what is important to you -- your children. Contact our child custody and child support lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

Diekman & Leightner, Attorneys at Law
230 South Bemiston Avenue
Suite 600
St. Louis, MO 63105
Phone: 314-725-9850

The law office of Diekman & Leightner provides experienced legal representation to clients in communities such as St. Louis City, Clayton, Des Peres, Creve Coeur, St Charles, Wildwood, Chesterfield, Ballwin, Manchester, University City, Shrewsbury, Town & Country, Bel-Ridge, Sunset Hills, Overland, Hazelwood, Ferguson, Berkeley, and Pine Lawn, Missouri. The firm also represents clients throughout the Central West End, North County, West County, and South County.

St. Louis County • St. Louis City • Jefferson County • Franklin County