Divorce and Child Custody in GA
EVERY CHILD CUSTODY SITUATION HAS UNIQUE CONCERNS AND CHALLENGES
Two happy homes are better for a child than one unhappy home.
Having a happy and healthy home makes it easier to be a good parent. When you’re going through a divorce, you must have a plan and a well-thought-out approach to raising a child in two homes.
Child custody in Georgia can be complicated. When a parent is involved in a disagreement over the custody of their child, that parent has the option to self-represent in court, but having an experienced attorney by their side who specializes in child custody issues is beneficial for all parties involved.
In a child custody case, it is important that everyone stays focused on the best interest of the child while working through the process.
Two Types of Custody in Georgia
Everyone’s situation and circumstances are different when it comes to divorce, and that is no different with child custody situations. When we work with parents, we make sure they understand the difference between legal custody and physical custody so that all of their questions get answered and their concerns are put at ease.
In Georgia, there are two types of child custody: legal and physical. Each type of custody comes with its own concerns, so it’s important to work with an attorney who can help you decide what is best for your child’s needs.
What is legal custody in Georgia?
In Georgia, a vast majority of people will have joint legal custody. The court will assign a “decision maker,” who will make decisions about the child’s non-emergency medical needs, religion, extra-curricular activities, and education.
Here are common questions we get from parents about legal custody:
- Am I going to have a say in decisions about my child’s life?
- Will I have access to teachers, doctors, etc.?
- Will I be involved in decision making and how will that work?
What is physical custody in Georgia?
In Georgia, physical custody is custody as it relates to the children’s actual schedule. The court can order all types of physical custody, but more often than not, they will assign a primary physical custodian and a secondary physical custodian of the minor children.
Physical custody has a lot of moving parts and doesn’t follow a specific standard. It always comes down to the best interest of the child. It’s not about what the parent wants, it’s about what the child needs.
How does custody work for unmarried parents in Georgia?
In Georgia, if a couple is unmarried at the time of their child’s birth, the father must take the intentional step of establishing paternity. To establish paternity in Georgia, the father of the child must file for legitimation. Until paternity has been established, the child is considered illegitimate, and the father does not have any rights when it comes to the child’s welfare.
How does a contentious divorce affect a custody agreement?
When you are going through a contentious divorce, it can affect your feelings about the custody agreement for your child. It is important to remember that just because someone is a bad spouse doesn’t necessarily mean they are a bad parent, and bitterness toward a spouse is not grounds to deprive the child of time with that parent. That can be a difficult pill to swallow, and we understand that custody issues can be very emotionally difficult.
But remember that two happy homes are better for a child than one unhappy home.
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Individuals facing divorce (or family disputes) want 2 things:
We promise to be empathetic and caring. Brown Dutton & Crider is committed to providing caring and supportive legal services for individuals facing divorce. We know how important it is to feel understood, heard, and supported. We know you want someone who will treat you with warmth and respect. We do those things because that’s who we are. It’s in the DNA of our law firm.
We promise to provide the highest quality legal representation, so you get the results you deserve. It’s not enough to only be empathetic and caring. We know you want top quality legal services, too. So, that’s exactly what we deliver. When you hire a lawyer from Brown Dutton & Crider as your divorce attorney or family law attorney, you get a top divorce lawyer serving Cobb and surrounding counties in Georgia.
Brown Dutton & Crider – Divorce Lawyers and full-service family law firm in Georgia