Marietta Visitation Lawyer

Marietta Visitation Attorney

Adult relationships do not always stand the test of time, regardless of whether shared children are part of the equation. The dissolution of a marriage or romantic relationship does not negate your parental rights.

Noncustodial parents have a right to pursue the parenting time of their children. Unfortunately, asserting these rights is not always easy, and some parents may have their parental bond threatened. Consult a Marietta visitation lawyer if you are facing such a situation.

At Young Law Firm, LLC, our experienced family lawyer helps clients in Cobb County, Bartow County, Paulding County, and Cherokee County protect their parental rights and visitation time. Attorney Diana Whipkey Young will help you get the time you need to build a relationship with your child. You can learn more about how our lawyer can help by scheduling your first meeting at our Marietta office. Call us now at 770-795-9596 to set up your free, 30-minute consultation.

The Various Types Of Parenting Time

In every child custody case in Marietta, the family court has a legal obligation to rule in a way that protects the best interests of the children the ruling will affect. Every custody case must also address legal custody, or the ability to make decisions for a child, and physical custody, which pertains to how much time the child spends with each parent. Parenting time may apply to physical custody or visitation rights depending on the level of custody granted to the parent.

The terms of parenting time are at the discretion of the court and fall into four major categories:

• Reasonable parenting time: Generally, the terms are open-ended and allow both parents to agree upon a parenting time schedule. The frequency at which the parents exchange parenting time will depend on many factors, which may include their proximity to one another and the child’s schedule. Physical custody on a rotating schedule can be arranged in various formats, and it is possible to adjust this schedule as needed in the future.
• Scheduled parenting time: Dates and times of scheduled parenting times will be determined and specified by the Georgia family court. It is crucial for both parents to adhere to these schedules unless they both agree to different schedules. It is also important for both parents to inform one another of emergencies or any issues that prevent them from keeping to the schedule. Repeated violations of scheduled parenting time can lead to contempt and other penalties.
• Supervised parenting time: In instances where the judge deems the noncustodial parent to be a potential danger to the child, all parenting times may be ordered to be supervised by a court-appointed adult.
• No parenting time: No parenting time rights may be ordered to the noncustodial parent if the presiding judge believes he or she poses a threat to the child’s physical or emotional well-being. If a parent has had their parental rights involuntarily terminated and they are not awarded any level of visitation, they will be very unlikely to regain them in the future except under very specific conditions.

Research has reinforced the belief that in most cases children tremendously benefit when relationships are maintained with both parents following a divorce, separation or break-up.

Our attorney has seen the damaging impact of denying a child regular contact with a parent. As a parent, in most cases, you are entitled to maintain a presence in your child’s life, and we will ensure that your rights are upheld.

Visitation Rights And Supervised Visitation

The parent not awarded custody in a divorce case is usually granted parenting time or visitation rights. The trial judge has broad discretion in deciding this issue. The best interest of the child or children is the guiding principle for the judge’s decision.

However, in some cases, the trial judge will decide that visitation should not be allowed or should be restricted. If a noncustodial parent has a severe issue, such as a drug or alcohol problem or is violent, then the trial judge may make restrictions tailored to the case to protect the child or children.

Restrictions may include that the visitation is supervised. Such supervision may be a relative or a close friend. The visitation may also be supervised by a professional agency that is in the business of providing such services.

Resolving Custody Disputes in Marietta

It is possible for a custody dispute to be a standalone family court issue or part of a larger divorce. For example, when parents divorce and have children, they will need to resolve custody as part of their divorce proceedings. This entails deciding legal custody, or the right to make important decisions for a child, and physical custody, which defines parenting time.

Generally, family court judges in Marietta and throughout Georgia will attempt to provide a child with as much access to both parents as possible whenever possible. However, there are some cases in which judges determine that one parent is unfit to have significant custody rights. This can be determined based on many factors, from a parent’s criminal history to a work schedule that requires constant travel, limiting their ability to handle physical custody.

It’s natural for parents to want as much custody time as possible, but in some cases, the parents’ personal issues with one another can influence their decisions when it comes to resolving custody disputes. Each parent will have the right to present arguments, evidence, and witness testimony in making their case for custody, but the final decision will be in the hands of the judge overseeing their case.

Visitation or parenting time is assigned based on what the court determines to be in the best interests of the child or children in the case. In a joint custody agreement, it is possible for both parents to share legal custody, meaning they must consult one another about all major decisions for their child, but they may have an uneven split of physical custody or parenting time, as their schedules and their child’s needs dictate.

Modifying Visitation in Marietta

The family court of Georgia understands that life can present unexpected challenges, and parents may need to adjust standing custody orders in light of various events. If you believe something has changed in your life that warrants an adjustment to your standing child custody order, your Marietta visitation lawyer can help you petition for modification.

How Your Attorney Can Help

Every case is unique, and it is important to have experienced legal representation on your side. Your Marietta visitation lawyer at Young Law Firm, LLC, can help you prepare for your case, explain what you can expect as these proceedings unfold, and provide a better chance of securing the visitation arrangement you hope to secure.

Young Law Firm, LLC, has decades of experience representing Marietta clients in a wide range of difficult family court cases and will leverage this experience in your case. You have a short time to prepare for any type of custody or visitation dispute, so it is important to reach out to a Marietta visitation lawyer at your first opportunity.

Contact A Dedicated Visitation Lawyer

Our attorney at Young Law Firm, LLC, Diana Whipkey Young, knows the level of sensitivity involved in decisions related to parenting time rights. She will create an aggressive strategy to secure your deserved parenting time based on her more than 40 years of legal experience. Contact us at 770-795-9596 or send us an email to schedule a free, 30-minute consultation to discuss your specific circumstance.