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Factors that influence child custody decisions

On Behalf of | Sep 4, 2022 | Family Law |

When parents are getting divorced, their top priority is generally to settle matters related to child custody. If a suitable arrangement cannot be reached mutually, then the court will step in. The family courts in Georgia base custody rulings on the best interests of the child.

It can be difficult to narrow down the meaning of this, but below are some factors that could come into play.

Who offers the most stability?

Throughout the marriage, one parent may have spent much of their time away working, while the other took care of the child’s day-to-day needs. For instance, one parent may have prepared their meals and taken them to and from school. This is a routine that the child may be comfortable with, and it’s possible that the court will not want to disrupt it.

The ability to provide for the child both in terms of care and finances will factor heavily into any decisions that the family court in Georgia makes.

The child’s welfare

Unfortunately, not all relationships are stable, and there may have been instances of abuse when the marriage broke down. If accusations have been firmly established, then the court will consider the safety of the child. They may not stop visitation altogether, but they could insist that all visits are supervised for the time being.

Of course, not all problematic issues stem from malice. One parent may simply be going through a tough time. Alcohol and other forms of addiction can impact many people under difficult circumstances. In such a scenario, the court may restrict custody rights until the parent has shown signs that their condition has improved.

It’s important that your parental rights are upheld when going through custody proceedings. Having legal guidance behind you throughout your case can ensure that this happens.

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