Child Custody
If you are dealing with a custody fight in Warwick, you probably already know what the inside of your own head sounds like these days. The late-night spirals. The texts you reread. The conversations you wish you had handled differently. The way the court paperwork sits on your kitchen counter like it is staring at you. None of this feels simple.
And then you see Rhode Island’s laws, and they have their own language. “Best interests of the child.” “Physical custody.” “Legal custody.” It feels like stepping into a system that never bothered to ask how much you already have on your plate.
This is where Warwick child custody attorney Brett Beaubien steps in. He listens to what actually matters to you. He does not hand your case off to someone else. He builds it himself. And he does what it takes to uphold your rights and your child’s best interests.
To receive dedicated child custody legal advice in Warwick, call the Law Office of Brett V. Beaubien, LLC today.
Warwick’s Child Custody Rules
Here is the truth most parents discover once they start this process: the law has its structure, and then real life has its own structure, and the two never match perfectly. Brett helps you connect the two so you do not feel like you are trying to fit your kid’s entire childhood into a court form.
The Two Kinds of Custody
Think of custody as coming in two categories, and once you know this, everything starts making sense.
- Physical custody is where your child actually lives. Who they wake up with, how the overnights rotate, and who handles bedtime on school nights.
- Legal custody is who makes the big decisions, like school choices, medical decisions, therapy, religion, and everything that shapes who your child becomes.
The court can mix those however it needs to. It might say both parents get a say, or one parent does the day-to-day while both share decisions. When the situation is rough or unsafe, one parent may take full responsibility.
Family lawyer in Warwick Brett Beaubien’s job is to show you how they apply to your life, your child, your routines, and your concerns. He helps you understand the reality behind each option, not just the legal dictionary version.
Custody Laws the Court Uses
Rhode Island has statutes, cases, and guidelines. They all tie back to one simple directive: whatever the court orders must be what helps the child the most. It sounds clear, but the actual process is anything but.
There are statutes like R.I. Gen. Laws §15-5-16, §15-5-16.2, and §15-5-16.3. There is a landmark case called Pettinato v. Pettinato. Brett knows these front to back, but he never makes you feel like you need to memorize anything. He gives you the information that matter for your situation and leaves out the noise.
How Judges Decide What Is in a Child’s Best Interests
There is no magic formula and no checklist that automatically fixes everything. Instead, judges look at a bunch of factors that come from the Pettinato case. And this is where Warwick child custody lawyer Brett Beaubien helps people breathe a little easier, because the case finally starts to look like actual life.
What the Court Looks At
When a judge in Warwick reviews a custody case, they consider the following:
- What your child wants, when their age makes that appropriate
- What each parent is asking for
- How your child interacts with parents, siblings, and other important people
- How your children fit into their school, their neighborhood, and their routine
- The physical and mental health of everyone involved
- The stability of each home
- The parents’ moral fitness
- Whether each parent encourages the child’s relationship with the other parent
Other Things That Matter
There are a few things the court does not always talk about, but they influence decisions just the same:
- How well the parents can work together without constant conflict
- Who actually handles homework, doctor visits, and bedtime routines
- Any history of violence or neglect
- Concerns involving alcohol or drugs
- Work schedules
- Who has a strong, supportive network around them
Brett helps parents pay attention to the parts of their story that matter most. He knows which facts carry weight, how to present them, and how to push back when the other side paints a picture that does not match reality.
The Different Kinds of Custody Situations in Warwick
When Custody Comes Up in a Divorce
If you are going through a divorce, custody becomes one part of a much bigger puzzle. While you are dealing with property division, temporary orders, and financial issues, the court is also trying to map out your child’s future.
Timing matters, early decisions matter, and temporary orders matter more than most people realize. Brett helps you understand how every early move can shape the final outcome.
When the Parents Were Never Married
The process starts with establishing legal parentage. The court cannot assign custody or parenting time without that step. The standards are the same, but the path is a little different. Brett walks you through it.
When Something Is Urgent
There are times when you cannot wait due to safety concerns, sudden instability, or a situation that needs court intervention immediately. Brett can file:
- Emergency motions for temporary custody
- Requests for supervised visitation
- Protective order petitions
- Contempt motions when someone violates an order
These cases move fast, and evidence becomes everything.
How Evidence Shapes Custody Cases in Warwick
Judges do not make decisions based on “he said, she said.” They rely on proof. That is where Brett’s approach really matters. He builds cases on facts, documents, and real-world proof, not emotions or assumptions.
The Evidence That Makes a Difference
Important evidence includes:
- School reports
- Medical or therapy records
- Text messages, emails, and social media posts
- Testimony from teachers, coaches, or neighbors
- Police reports
- Journals or calendars of parenting involvement
- Work schedules
- Financial proof of stability
Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Involvement
If a GAL steps in, things get more investigative. They talk to everyone, gather documents, and write recommendations. Brett prepares you for interviews, submits what you need them to see, and challenges any part of the report that misses the mark.
Psychological Evaluations
In high-conflict cases, the court might order evaluations, parenting capacity studies, substance abuse assessments, and mental health evaluations. Brett knows how these reports work, how reliable they are, and when to challenge them.
When Custody Cases Go to Trial in Warwick
Most parents hope they never end up in a courtroom for a full custody trial. But when it happens, preparation becomes your lifeline.
Why Temporary Orders are Important
Temporary decisions early on can influence everything later. Brett treats them with the same seriousness as the trial itself.
Trial Advocacy That Cuts Through the Noise
In trial, Brett focuses on:
- Showing credibility issues
- Exposing inconsistencies
- Using digital evidence properly
- Challenging hearsay
- Presenting reliable experts
He structures everything so the judge sees a clear, grounded story of your parenting.
Mediation, Coordination, and Alternative Paths
Not every case needs a courtroom showdown. Sometimes parents can build a workable plan with a little guidance.
Mediation
Mediation lets you craft your own schedule instead of handing control to the judge. Brett helps you prepare by identifying:
- What matters most
- What you can compromise on
- What you absolutely need
- How your schedule works in the real world
Parenting Coordination
Sometimes, the court brings in a coordinator to help reduce conflict after orders are in place. Brett helps define boundaries and ensures decisions stay fair.
High-Conflict Situations: Abuse, Substance Use, and False Claims
These cases are more serious, and the court treats them differently.
Domestic Violence
The law takes domestic violence very seriously. Brett documents incidents carefully, works with advocates, seeks protective orders, and challenges false accusations.
Substance Abuse Issues
These cases may involve:
- Testing
- Supervised visits
- Treatment progress
- Risk assessments
Brett approaches these situations with both seriousness and fairness.
False Allegations
False claims can do serious damage. Brett responds quickly using:
- Contradictory evidence
- Highlighting inconsistencies
- Requests for sanctions when appropriate
How Warwick Child Custody Attorney Brett Beaubien Handles These Cases
When you work with Brett, you work with him. Not an assistant or an associate. He personally builds your strategy, reviews every document, prepares the evidence, and stands with you in court.
Strategic Guidance That Makes Sense
He helps you understand where your case stands and the path forward in plain language. He shapes your strategy around your goals as a parent, not a case file.
Evidence That Supports Your Reality
He reviews your texts, prepares witnesses, organizes your timeline, and builds the kind of case that tells the true story behind the legal arguments.
A Personal Approach from Start to Finish
You never sit around wondering what happens next. Brett keeps you informed, prepared, and grounded. He is steady, direct, and fully involved in your case.If you are stepping into a custody case in Warwick or need to change an order that is no longer working, attorney Brett Beaubien is ready to guide you through it from the very first conversation. To schedule your free consultation, call the Law Office of Brett V. Beaubien, LLC at (401) 246-8579 or contact us online.
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