Child Custody
Your Guide Through Child Custody
Divorce or changing family circumstances can put the care and well-being of a child in limbo, so child custody plans are crucial to create an environment that serves the best interests of the child. Custody hearing can be complex, so seeking expert guidance can relieve financial and emotional stress, and help protect your family’s integrity.
The experienced attorneys at Gillsville Law understand your situation needs to be responsibly resolved and work to arrive at practical and productive solutions. We are attentive to your thoughts, wishes and concerns regarding your child’s wellbeing, and will assist your family throughout the custody and child support process so that you can look ahead to a peaceful life.
Types of Child Custody
Georgia family court determines child custody based on several different factors. In most cases, custody is granted based on the best situation for the child. The court considers residence, income, mental health and the overall ability to care for the child.
There are four basic custody arrangements that the court recognizes:
- Sole Physical Custody – The child lives with one parent and the other parent keeps court approved visitation rights.
- Joint Physical Custody – Both parents maintain a significant amount of continual contact with the child.
- Sole Legal Custody – One parent has the right to make all decisions regarding the child. The other parent obtains visitation rights.
- Joint Legal Custody – Both parents have the right to make decisions regarding the child; however, the parents must work together regularly for the best interest of the child.
Sole legal custody is the most common custody awarded by the courts. However, the court typically states that joint legal custody is in the child’s best interest.
At Gillsville Law, we understand that child custody can be a stressful time and provide guidance to reach an amicable agreement.