Custody or visitation rights are one of the most important (or the most important) issues to address when parents file for divorce. Unless one parent is deemed unsuitable or unsafe, the Georgia Family Court will grant custody to both parents even if the child spends...
Child Custody
Determining custody and parenting time in divorce
Back in the days when the nuclear family reigned supreme and divorce was only discussed in hushed tones, custody of a couple's children in Georgia was almost always given to the mother. The idea behind that practice was that children needed their mothers more than...
Why mothers lose custody of their children
Many people have a misconception that a mother is most likely to win the custody battle. If we look at the stats, we will find a consistently increasing percentage of fathers winning the custody of their children. Sometimes, a mother can even lose an already won case,...
Can a step-parent get custody in Georgia?
It used to be the case that a stepparent did not have a way to get custody of a step-child in a divorce case. That has now changed with the enactment of a new law in Georgia. The law allows the Court to determine that a stepparent is an “equitable caregiver.” In order...
When a parent wants to move with a child away from the other parent
The unfortunate reality of divorce is that if the couple has kids, it’s the children that tend to suffer the most from divorce. When parents divorce, they may choose to live close enough to ensure the child has to undergo the least possible changes. However, in some...
How is child custody determined?
The general and overriding basis for the decision as to which parent should be awarded custody of a minor child or minor children is the “best interest of the child” standard. In Georgia, while a party may have a jury trial in a divorce case, the decision as to child...
Does an unwed father have visitation rights?
No, in Georgia, unless the father filed a legal action in the courts and obtained an order granting him rights to visitation and/or custody. Even if the father did not sign the forms or the birth certificate, he can still render his child legitimate by filing a legal...
How to tell your kids you’re getting a divorce
Divorce is rarely a happy occasion (although divorce parties are a thing now). If you and your spouse have kids, you’ll need to have the painful talk with them about your divorce. Your kids might already know that it’s coming, but the healthiest thing to do for them...
Travelling with your kids after divorce
Divorce is an ordeal for everyone involved. In the divorce process (and for a period of time after), ex-spouses generally go through a wave of different emotions associated with grief. It stands to reason and the same goes for their children. Once the divorce process...
Marietta child custody and visitation lawyer
Maintaining your relationship with your children after the end of your marriage is a critical issue for any parent. Equally important is the successful negotiation of custody and visitation agreements that fully recognize your goals for this new phase of your family’s...