Child Custody | Visitation

Child Custody and Visitation Georgia

What is Custody and Visitation Law?

Disputes often arise when divorcing parents or unmarried parents living separately can’t agree on which parent (custodial) the children will live with and how the other parent (non-custodial) can maintain a relationship with their children. Georgia child custody and visitation law helps to resolve these disputes.

Divorcing parents should come up with their plans for child custody that include joint custody or visitation rights for a non-custodial parent. However, when parents disagree on whose home their child will spend most of the time, or when parents live far away from each other, the dispute may have to be resolved in a family court.

In bitter divorces, there may be attempts to block one parent from obtaining visitation rights or joint custody. All of these cases require the much-needed support of an experienced, reputable, and professional family law attorney Alpharetta. Our lawyer at The Thomann Law Firm can advocate in court for your right to visitation or help broker a mutual compromise on custody.

Terms to Know

• Sole Custody– One parent takes the responsibilities of care and maintenance of the child, including the right to direct the activities of the child and make decisions regarding the upbringing of the child.
• Joint Custody– Both parents share the responsibilities of care and maintenance of a child.
• Best Interests of the Child– A standard used for determining whether to award sole or joint custody or visitation rights in different states.
• Visitation– Access to a child granted to a parent who doesn’t have custody.
• Divorce –The legal dissolution of a valid marriage.
• Child Support– Money payments intended to cover the non-custodial parent’s share of the child’s necessities. A non-custodial parent makes it to a custodial parent.

The visitation rights are not awarded to parents only. Parents are not the only people eligible for these rights. Depending on the circumstances and state, a family court may award visitation rights to the siblings and grandparents who have played a significant role in the life of a child.

If granting full custody to a grandparent is in the best interests of the child, then a court may even consider doing so. Even if you aren’t a parent, consult with our Alpharetta family law attorney at The Thomann Law Firm today to discuss your potential visitation rights.

The preferences for awarding custody vary from one state to another. Most states prefer that both parents maintain the closest possible relationship with their child, and that is why they award joint custody to both parents.

However, the awarding of sole custody happens in a few states. For instance, some states prefer sole custody because awarding joint custody requires the cooperation of the parents, and the child suffers when the parents do not get along. Our lawyer specializing in child custody and visitation Georgia can help you to determine which laws apply in your case.

Courts primarily consider the best interests of the child when making custody and visitation decisions. A family court may consider a number of factors, including each parent’s physical and mental health, the wishes of the parents and child, and which parent has acted as the child’s primary caregiver, among others. You should consult our experienced family law attorney to help you form your best arguments for each of these factors to get the child custody and visitation schedule you desire.

If you’re facing child custody and/or visitation problem, contact The Thomann Law Firm today. We will help you explore your legal options. Call us today at 678-389-8581 or fill out the contact form to schedule a free case review.