Northeast Georgia Child Custody Lawyers
When minor children are involved in a custody action, the court, the attorneys and especially the parents need to keep the children’s best interests in mind when making decisions about child custody. At our law firm, Coleman, Chambers & Rogers, LLP, family law attorneys Susan D. Brown and Bob Coleman understand that each family is unique. Custody choices are not the same for every family and every circumstance, so we will work to reach an outcome that will work for you.
We Know Child Custody
Child custody and visitation/parenting time can take many forms and one that comes with many terms that are based more on the actual schedule than parents initially think. In reality custody boils down to how much time the children will spend with each parent and who will make decisions.
- Where should the children live? Will they live mostly with one parent or equally with each parent?
- Legal custody refers to the right to have input in decisions, receive information from schools and medical providers, and seek medical care. Legal custody is usually joint in Georgia, giving both parents input. If circumstances are extreme, sole legal custody is sometimes granted. Increasingly, final decisions in various categories: health education, religion and extracurricular activities, can be allocated between the parents.
- Physical custody: This defines where the child spends parenting time. Parenting schedules can take many forms and our attorneys are skilled at explaining the developmental stages of children and helping you establish the best schedule for your children, taking into consideration where each parent lives, work schedules, and children’s ages, among other factors.
- Third-party custody: Third-party custody is when a party other than the parents, including certain relatives and long-time caregivers seek custody of children. This is a very complex are of law and is much more fact dependent than other areas of custody.
- Child support is dependent on a number of factors, which include the income or income potential of each parent, parenting time, the cost of insurance and day care, whether a parent has other children he or she supports. We can explain the current law to you and help you understand how it affects you and your children.
- All local courts require parties to seek mediation if they are unable to reach an agreement before attending a final hearing. Mediation often helps parties work out their own resolution rather than depend on a third party to make decisions for them.
Every parent has rights and obligations with regard to their children. A divorce does not change that. Parenting time and financial support remain important obligations.
Click on the title to read a related article:
Does a Child Have the Right to Elect the Parent They Want to Live With?
Petitions for Change of Custody
Can Final Custody or Visitation Agreements be Altered?
Answering Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Child Custody
When our clients are navigating child custody matters, they often have many questions and concerns. As we guide you through this process, we are here to answer your questions while advocating for the best possible outcome for you and your child. Below, we have answered some of the most common questions we receive from our clients.
Can grandparents or other relatives seek custody or visitation rights in Georgia?
Yes, under certain circumstances, grandparents and certain other relatives can petition for custody or visitation rights in Georgia. The court will consider whether granting such rights is in the best interests of the child. This often involves evaluating the relationship between the child and the relative, as well as the potential impact on the child’s well-being. However, these cases require a much higher standard to overcome the presumptions of a parent’s right to custody and typically require legal guidance.
How does Georgia handle custody arrangements for unmarried parents?
In Georgia, if parents are unmarried, the biological mother is considered the legal custodian by default. Even if paternity is agreed upon or established on the birth certificate or in a child support order, the father must file for legitimation to seek custody or visitation rights. Once legitimation is established, the court will evaluate custody and parenting time based on the child’s best interests. Both parents are encouraged to work together to create a parenting plan that benefits the child.
What is the role of a parenting plan in Georgia child custody cases?
A parenting plan is a required document in Georgia child custody cases that outlines how parents will share responsibilities. It includes details about physical custody, visitation schedules, decision-making authority, and how disputes will be resolved. The plan must prioritize the child’s best interests and provide a clear framework for co-parenting. Courts often require parents to submit a parenting plan for approval during custody proceedings. Form parenting plans are available from many sources, but many times do not address many issues and must later be modified. Our experienced attorneys can help you include details that may help prevent later modification or contempt actions.
Personal Service, Big Capabilities
At Coleman, Chambers & Rogers, LLP, we offer every family law client personal attention, responsive service and experienced legal counsel. Our attorneys and our support staff are ready to help. Call us at 678-601-2495 for an initial consultation or contact us online.