Northeast Georgia Visitation Rights Attorneys
Over the last several years, there have been several changes in the law with regard to children and child support issues in Georgia, including expansion of the categories of people who can seek visitation rights: grandparents, relatives and “equitable caregivers.” Equitable caregivers can include distant relatives, stepparents and same-sex parents.
The courts have implemented standardized forms utilized in domestic relation matters. Good family law lawyers have added detailed provisions in settlement agreements regarding visitation, decision-making, support, access to records and provisions for insurance within the body of the settlement agreement that was ultimately incorporated into the final order or decree.
What Is A Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan outlines the custodial rights of the parties and generally includes:
- A decision on how legal custody is awarded
- How is physical custody divided
- Day-to-day decision-making for the children
- Emergency decisions with regard to the children
- Provisions requiring the parents to communicate in an effort to reach a mutual agreement with regards to major decisions
- Provisions designating a tie breaker if a mutual decision cannot be reached
- Provisions regarding the parenting/visitation schedule
- Transportation arrangements
- Contact with the child
- Any provisions surrounding the supervision of visitation
- Exchange of employment information
- Exchange of respective addresses
- Rights of parents to attend extracurricular activities
- Rights of parents to communicate with physicians, teachers, school administrators and other professionals working with the children
- Provisions regarding who can be around the children or what environment the children can be exposed to
- Acknowledgments that a close and continuing parent-child relationship and continuity in the child’s life is in the best interest of the child
- Acknowledgment that the child’s needs will change and grow as the child matures
With over 35 years of experience, family law attorney Susan D. Brown leads visitation cases for our firm. Bob Coleman brings another 35-plus years of experience. They can help you create a parenting plan that satisfies the needs of your family and is tailored to the specifics of your situation. A parenting plan should be specific yet flexible. If the parenting plan is too generic, it will not provide structure to the parents and child, and could lead to miscommunication, distrust and potentially additional litigation.
Negotiating A Parenting Plan Is Often The Best Solution
It is hard for parents who are going through a divorce to look at the strengths of their spouse as a parent versus their weakness or shortcomings as a husband or wife. Generally, parents who agree on a parenting plan rather than a court-imposed plan (after a hearing) are more likely to comply with the custody provisions and are also generally less likely to return to court.
Negotiations, in many divorces, can be complicated by the emotions and experiences that both sides may bring to the table. But to preserve relationships, to go a more constructive way, alternative dispute resolution is a highly attractive choice. Our firm has multiple experienced mediators who can mediate or represent you in ADR proceedings. We’ve seen even the most hostile of divorces find common ground in a mediated approach.
It is ultimately up to the court to review plans, and if the court finds the best interests of the child are met by incorporating the plan to then make it a part of the court order.
Contact A Visitation Attorney At Coleman, Chambers & Rogers, LLP
Creating a plan that addresses the children’s present and future needs, and that addresses each parent’s strengths and weaknesses should not be taken lightly. Make Coleman, Chambers & Rogers, LLP, and our innovative family law group a part of your team by calling 678-601-2495 or by sending us an email.