Family and children
Legal help with child custody disputes
A custody dispute may involve legal custody, where the child will live, or how contact with each parent will be arranged. Our lawyers help you understand your rights under Swedish law, assess the situation, and present the circumstances that matter for your child.
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Custody, residence, and contact
Legal custody concerns responsibility for the child’s personal affairs and the authority to make important decisions about matters such as education, health care, and passports. Parents with joint custody must make these decisions together. A parent with sole custody has this responsibility individually.
The child’s residence and contact with each parent are separate issues. A child may live primarily with one parent or alternate between both homes. A child has a right to maintain contact with the parent they do not live with, as long as the arrangement is consistent with the child’s best interests.
A dispute may involve one or several of these issues. Our lawyers help you separate the legal questions and clearly state what you are asking the court to decide.
The child’s best interests
The child’s best interests determine decisions about custody, residence, and contact. The assessment focuses on the circumstances of the individual child rather than what either parent considers fair.
The court considers factors such as:
- the risk that the child or another family member may be subjected to violence or abuse
- the risk that the child may be taken away, kept from returning, or otherwise harmed
- the parents’ ability to cooperate on important matters involving the child
- the child’s need for safety and stability
- the child’s views in light of their age and maturity
The relevant circumstances should be presented factually and with a clear focus on how the child is affected. Our lawyers help you identify and organize the information that matters to the court’s assessment.
From an information meeting to court
Before filing a claim concerning custody, residence, or contact, a parent must generally participate in an information meeting arranged by the municipality. The parents may also be offered cooperation talks to help them reach an agreement outside court.
If no agreement is possible, either parent may file an application with the district court. The court may issue a temporary order while the case is pending and ask the social welfare committee to provide information or conduct an investigation.
Our lawyers help you prepare your documents, state your requests to the court, and present your case throughout the proceedings.
How we can help you
Every family’s circumstances are different. We help you understand the process and handle the case with your child’s situation at the center.
Legal guidance
We review your circumstances and explain the rules and available options that are relevant to your case.
Negotiations and agreements
We communicate with the other parent and work toward a sustainable agreement when that is possible.
Preparation for court
We help you state your requests, organize the relevant facts, and prepare documents for the proceedings.
Representation in the custody dispute
We represent you at preliminary hearings, negotiations, and the main court hearing.
Get help in a custody dispute
Schedule a 15-minute meeting with a lawyer to review and discuss your situation.
If you need further assistance, we’ll explain your options, how we can assist you, and what it would cost. If you hire us for your case, the cost of the first 15 minutes will be deducted from your final bill.
Talk to a lawyer
15-minute legal consultation
A brief meeting for quick guidance. Get answers to your questions, understand your rights and options, and learn how to move forward.
Need more help? You can also schedule a longer meeting with a lawyer for assistance with a specific task or a more complex situation.
Concerned about the cost? In some cases, part of the cost may be covered by legal expenses insurance or legal aid. We also offer payment plans through Klarna. Learn more about costs and financing →
Get help from our lawyers
Meet with one of our lawyers when you need legal guidance, support in negotiations, or representation in a custody dispute.
Matilda Selander Persson
Lawyer
Matilda primarily works with employment law, business law, contract law, family law, and migration law. She speaks Swedish and English.
Wazima M. Aga
Lawyer
Wazima is deeply committed to protecting individual rights and practices immigration law, administrative law, social welfare law, family law, and contract law. She speaks Swedish, English, Persian, and Dari.
Aja Wadii
Lawyer
Aja specializes in migration law, family law, and criminal law. In addition to Swedish and English, Aja also speaks Arabic.
Nadja Hatem
Lawyer
Nadja works within family law – mainly custody disputes and international child abduction cases. She has also worked in criminal law. She speaks Swedish, English, and Arabic.
Anuta Sjunghamn
Lawyer
Anuta works in migration law – primarily handling asylum cases. She also assists with family law disputes and criminal cases. Anuta speaks Swedish, English and Persian.
Mirella Nunes Siqueira
Consulting lawyer
Mirella specializes in business law, financial family law, employment law, and consumer law. She speaks Swedish, English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Aleksandar Milic
Consulting lawyer
Aleksandar Milic specializes in business law and family law and also serves as legal counsel in LVU cases. He speaks Swedish, Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about custody dispute
Custody concerns legal responsibility for the child. Residence determines where the child will live, while contact concerns the child’s relationship with the parent they do not live with.
Sole custody may be appropriate when it is considered best for the child. The court considers factors such as the risk of harm and the parents’ ability to handle important decisions involving the child.
As a general rule, a parent must have attended an information meeting within the previous year before filing a claim. Exceptions may apply when there are special reasons.
The child must receive information and have an opportunity to express their views. The weight given to those views depends on the child’s age and maturity.
Let a lawyer contact you
Tell us briefly about your situation, and we’ll get back to you within one business day to schedule a video consultation.