Child custody laws in Georgia are designed with the best interests of children in mind. The courts encourage parents to participate in their children’s upbringing and have meaningful relationships with them.
A family custody lawyer can help you understand how the law works in different situations. A reasonable attorney will have experience in both divorces with and without children. They will also have experience with paternity cases.
Experience
A family law case involves complex issues requiring the attention of an attorney with extensive experience. Whether you are disputing custody with your ex or need to pursue legal action, hiring a lawyer experienced in handling these cases will help give you the best chance at a favorable outcome.
Georgia law requires judges to prioritize the interests of children involved in a custody dispute. This means that a court will look at the child’s well-being and what type of environment would provide the most stability. Moreover, courts will try to balance the parents’ rights so that each parent can maintain a relationship with the child.
A custody schedule will also need to be negotiated, including mid-week visits, alternating weekends, and extended holidays. The schedule will determine how you and your spouse spend time with the child or children for years. Therefore, it must be carefully crafted by a skilled Atlanta child custody attorney.
Reputation
A family law attorney with a solid reputation for success can help clients resolve disputes that arise during divorce and separation proceedings. They are also familiar with child custody law and can negotiate a parenting plan as part of your divorce agreement. They can also assist you if you decide to move out of state with your children and petition the court to modify your custody and visitation arrangement. They can also act as a guardian ad litem to represent your children’s interests in court.
Judges usually consider the child’s best interest when awarding legal custody. This involves the decision-making power for religious upbringing, extracurricular activities, medical care, and education. While the judge will not always grant joint physical custody, they often encourage both parents to remain active in a child’s life. Parents can also choose to secure sole custody of a child. In this case, the other parent must pay child support to the custodial parent.
Fees
In Georgia, child custody matters are decided by family courts. It is a general policy of the court to encourage parents to share both legal and physical custody of their children. However, it is also the courts’ right to grant primary physical and legal custody to one parent if it is in the best interests of the child.
Child custody cases are usually handled in conjunction with divorces. A good, Trusted Child Custody Lawyer in Atlanta understands how this can affect your case and will know what family law to use to fight for you. They can help you create a schedule of mid-week visits, alternating weekends, and holidays.
It is essential for fathers to find a family lawyer that will help them win custody of their children. To win custody, a father should pay child support and be involved in his child’s life. He should attend their extracurricular activities and be financially prepared to provide a stable home.
Communication
The choices parents make for their kids can have long-lasting effects. From the initial custody and visitation agreements to any future modifications, it is essential to have an attorney that understands the complexities of family law.
Courts determine child-related matters, including custody and visitation, based on the child’s best interests. The best-interests assessment considers the parents’ histories and relationships, the child’s needs and preferences, and a variety of other factors.
Parents can share physical and legal custody, or a judge may award sole custody to one parent. Generally, judges prefer that parents share time with their children and will only grant sole physical or legal custody when one parent is deemed unfit to care for the child.
In cases where the biological father has not been legally recognized, he must petition for paternity and secure his rights to visitation and custody through legitimation. Also, if either parent wishes to relocate outside of the state of Georgia, that is considered a change in circumstance and requires modification of the custody agreement.