Dallas Visitation Lawyer

Dallas Visitation Attorney

Deciding on child custody and visitation can be the hardest part of a divorce or separation. Depending on the circumstances, the father may not even have automatic custody rights to pursue. It’s unfortunate when children get caught in the crossfire of a contentious divorce, but it’s always important to remember to make your children’s welfare a priority during all this. You should consider reaching out to a Dallas visitation lawyer for help with your situation.

The Dallas family lawyers at Young Law Firm, LLC, knows how complicated and emotional a parenting time case can get, especially if your partner is trying to use your kids to hurt you. You don’t want to try to work through Georgia’s visitation laws without the help of an experienced Dallas visitation attorney by your side. Diana Whipkey Young can bring 40 years of legal experience and focused knowledge to your case. She can offer an initial 30-minute free consultation to discuss your case.

What Can a Parenting Time Lawyer Do for You?

If you’re trying to pursue visitation, also known as parenting time, rights in Dallas, you will do so through the Paulding County Superior Court on Constitution Boulevard. It’s important to keep in mind that if you’re not married, only the mother has automatic custody rights to a child born out of wedlock, according to Georgia state law. It’s highly recommended that you hire a visitation lawyer to walk you through your options.

Georgia has a moderate divorce rate of 2.2 per 1,000, and a high marriage rate of 46.3%. Many divorce cases also include child custody arrangements, child support, and parenting time schedules, all of which can be difficult to develop on your own without a lawyer to keep emotions out of it. A good lawyer can keep your case on track and help you determine the right course to continue being a consistent presence in your kids’ lives. Here are some important ways a lawyer can help:

• Developing a parenting plan. It’s vital that you and your partner put together a parenting plan that’s enforceable and mutually beneficial. A parenting plan will include daily schedules, what to do about holidays, school pickup, and even how to resolve arguments between parents. A lawyer can help draft this plan. If you can’t do it yourselves, a judge will need to do it for you, and that might not work out in your favor.
• Modifying visitation. The initial custody arrangement may not be feasible long-term. Circumstances change, and that custody agreement may need to be modified to reflect those changes. Your lawyer can help modify this agreement if one parent loses their job, needs to relocate, or the child’s welfare is threatened in some way.
• Establishing supervised visitation. If the court orders one parent to have only supervised parenting time, it’s vital that you have legal help to establish and enforce it. Supervised parenting time generally occurs when there is a physical or emotional safety concern, including substance abuse, domestic violence, or the risk of abduction. Your lawyer can help implement, modify, or even terminate supervised parenting time.
• Grandparents’ rights. If the parents are divorced, separated, or if one parent is deceased, it’s common for the child’s grandparents to pursue parenting time or even custody by enforcing grandparents’ rights. Courts always prioritize the well-being of the child, and that may include having grandparents in their lives. Grandparents need to provide proof that denying contact will emotionally harm the child. A lawyer can help pursue these rights.
• Enforcement. Parenting time schedules and custody agreements are ordered by the court and enforceable by law. If the other parent violates the parenting time schedule, you will want legal help to file contempt charges against that parent. Legal consequences can help make sure it doesn’t happen again.

FAQs

What Are Grandparents’ Parenting Time Rights in Georgia?

Grandparents’ parenting time rights are generally pursued if one parent has died or if the parents are separated. Grandparents who wish to pursue parenting time rights need to be able to prove through documentation that the child’s health and/or welfare would be harmed without their presence in their lives. Grandparents must have an existing and substantial relationship with the child in question already in order to pursue these rights. Otherwise, the court won’t consider the request.

How Many Times a Week Should a Noncustodial Parent See Their Child?

There is no set recommendation on how many times a week a noncustodial parent should see their child. Everybody’s custody situation is different, with many agreements dependent on multiple factors that are out of either parent’s control. Any parent who wants to be in their child’s life and is not barred from parenting time by the court will likely make every effort to see their child often. If the court orders shared custody, that shouldn’t be a problem.

At What Age Can a Child Refuse to See a Parent in Georgia?

There is no official age at which a child can refuse to see their parent in Georgia. The family courts generally consider the child’s preference around the age of 14. At this age, the court heavily weighs their preference, but the custody decision is always made in the child’s interests. If the child wishes to live with one parent but the court determines that shared custody will be better for the child’s welfare, they will make that choice.

How Does a Father Get Parenting Time Rights in Georgia?

The only way that a father can get parenting time rights in Georgia is by first establishing paternity. If the parents are married at the time of birth, the father is automatically granted paternal rights. However, if they aren’t married, only the mother has automatic custody rights. The father needs to file a Petition for Legitimation to create a legal relationship, which can then let the court award parenting time rights based on the child’s welfare.

Make Sure You Hire a Visitation Lawyer

The smartest move you can make for your case is to hire a visitation lawyer, if only to make sure your partner doesn’t try to cut you out of your child’s life. At Young Law Firm, LLC, we can help you build up your case, gather evidence, and prevent anyone from trying to take advantage of you. You can reach us at 770-758-8976 or reach out through our website. We take all major credit cards for client payments. We’re here to help.