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Child Custody in Georgia
Child Custody Laws in Georgia
Child custody is often the most contested matter in divorce. Time with your child is invaluable. It is something you can never get back once lost. This page discusses child custody and visitation laws in a Georgia divorce.
Protecting Your Rights, Protecting Your Children
Since 1993, individuals and families in Cherokee County and the surrounding areas have entrusted their child custody and visitation issues to our law firm. We are honored to help people in their time of need, particularly when it involves their children.
As experienced family law attorneys, and parents, we understand. We are strongly committed to helping our clients navigate the divorce process in a manner that preserves the health and well-being of their minor children.
In Georgia, any minor child who has reached the age of 14 years old can decide with which parent they choose to live. The choice of the minor child does not have automatic authority. A judge will consider the child's preference along with several other factors to rule on the custody arrangement.
Best Interests of the Child
Georgia law maintains that any child custody agreement or order must be in the best interests of the child involved. However, you and your child’s other parent probably have different ideas about what arrangement would be in your child’s best interests. We will work with you closely to understand your child’s needs and your priorities to advocate for your position.
For purposes of determining custody, the court will consider several specific factors when evaluating a child’s best interests. They include the child’s relationship and emotional connection to both parents and siblings, each parent’s ability to care for the child and involvement to this point and, depending on age, the child’s preference.
Child Visitation & Co-Parenting
Georgia courts push for a concept of co-parenting. This means that the courts recognize a need (in most situations) for both parents top have active roles in the lives of their children. Exceptions to this are when a parent has extreme psychological problems, substance abuse problems or is know to be physically or mentally abusive.
Most visitation schedules adhere to what have become "typical schedules". However, you and your spouse may choose to create your own schedules. In any event, parents may deviate from the Parenting Plan if it affords a parent more time than they would otherwise be allowed.
An important part of any visitation schedule, often overlooked, is time for grandparents to have with their grandchildren. For grandparents being denied visitation we offer legal help to fight for grandparent visitation rights.
Changing Custody, Visitation, Support
Often, changes to life circumstances make it necessary to pursue changing the terms of a divorce decree settlement. a decree modification is the legal way to request changes to custody, visitation, and support.
As skilled negotiators and aggressive, proven trial lawyers, we have the advocacy skills to handle complex and contested child custody cases, including those involving proposed child relocations. We will fight to help you obtain a child custody and visitation agreement or Parenting Plan that a judge will approve.