Sandy Springs Child Custody Lawyer
Any experienced Sandy Springs child custody lawyer knows that there is nothing more important than safeguarding your relationship with your child. Furthermore, no parent wants to go through a long and contentious custody battle, especially in the wake of a divorce or legal separation.
However, when your family is at stake, you should have a skilled family attorney on your side to help you stand up for your best interests and those of your children. If you are currently in a custody battle with a former partner or spouse, contact the legal team to see what your options may be.
Overview of Child Custody Laws
Parents are regarded equally when the court makes a custody arrangement, and the court makes the final arrangement based on the best interests of the child. Each party should be represented by a Sandy Springs child custody attorney during this process in order to ensure their own wishes are respected as much as feasible under the law.
There are two types of custody that must be addressed in Georgia: legal custody and physical custody. A parent with legal custody can make decisions regarding major issues in their child’s life, such as those relating to health, education, religion, and extracurricular activities. A parent with physical custody resides with their child in their home.
In ideal scenarios, courts in Georgia always prefer to award joint legal custody. This way, both parents have a say in major decisions and have equal access to the child’s school and medical records. Georgia courts are open to awarding joint physical custody arrangements as well so that each parent can spend equal time with the child. However, when a child is over the age of 14, they may choose themselves which parent they prefer to live with. If the judge finds that living with that parent is in fact in their best interest, that child’s decision can control.
Creating a Parenting Plan
During Georgia separations and divorces involving children, parents must also create a comprehensive parenting plan. This is done so that there is no misunderstanding about the obligations and limitations of each parent.
There are several factors that must be addressed in the parenting plan. Some of the main points include how parents would allocate decision-making authority, where the child would spend holidays and other special occasions, and how the child would be transported between households.
Having such a plan in place allows for clarity and peace of mind for both parents. An experienced child custody lawyer in Sandy Springs can help an individual draft a complete and comprehensive plan that fits their family’s needs.
Contact a Sandy Springs Custody Attorney for Help Protecting Your Rights
Our team of quality negotiators can work with the other side to establish a fair and balanced plan that all parties can agree upon. If an agreement cannot be reached, a lawyer could litigate in court to make sure that your rights are protected.
It is never easy having to fight for your child, but a compassionate and qualified Sandy Springs child custody lawyer can understand what is at stake and work tirelessly on your behalf from start to finish of the determination process. Call the intake team today to learn more about how a lawyer could assist you and your child.
