Child Custody Lawyers in Atlanta Putting Your Children First in a Child Custody Dispute

When most people think about a divorce, the first thing that comes to mind is the division of assets. However, one of the most important aspects of any divorce is the determination of child custody. Child custody disputes can be some of the most contentious and emotional battles in a divorce proceeding. Every family deserves a chance to go through a divorce with minimal animosity and hopefully a peaceful resolution.

For this reason, it is critical to have an experienced Atlanta child custody lawyer on your side who will fight for what is best for your children. The lawyers at Atlanta Family Law Group LLC have years of experience helping clients resolve difficult child custody disputes.

Our attorneys understand that every family is different and that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to child custody disputes. We will work with you to develop a strategy tailored specifically to your unique situation. We will aggressively advocate for your rights in court and make sure that your children’s best interests are always a top priority.

If you are considering or going through a divorce, please do not hesitate to call us for a free consultation at (404) 963-9452. We would be happy to discuss your case with you and answer any questions you may have.

What is Child Custody?

Child custody is the legal term used to describe the parental relationship between a child and his or her parents. It includes both physical custody, which is the right to have the child live with you, and legal custody, which is the right to make decisions about the child’s welfare, including education and healthcare.

In some cases, one parent may have sole physical custody while the other has visitation rights. In other cases, joint custody may be awarded, whereby both parents share equally in the child’s primary residence.

A child custody lawyer represents parents in court who are seeking custody of their children. The lawyer may also represent grandparents or other relatives who are seeking custody and visitation rights. The lawyer will work with you to develop a parenting plan that is in the best interests of your child. In Georgia courts, child custody arrangements are important matters.

If you are going through a divorce or are involved in a child custody dispute, it is important to have an experienced child custody lawyer on your side. The lawyers at our Atlanta law firm have extensive experience handling child custody cases, and we will work diligently to protect your rights and ensure that your children’s best interests are always put first.

Whether you are seeking sole physical custody of your children or joint physical custody, we can help. We will aggressively advocate for your rights in court and work to ensure that you can continue playing an active role in your children’s lives.

If you are involved in a child custody dispute, contact our Atlanta law firm today. We will review your case and help you understand your legal options. Our experienced child custody lawyers are here to fight for you.

How is Child Custody Determined?

Child custody cases typically occur both during the divorce or legitimation process and at some point when the order needs to be adjusted. No matter which situation you are in, we are here to help you. Protecting or restoring your rights to your children is undoubtedly going to be the most important thing in your life, and we will give your case the time, attention, and dedication it deserves.

Ideally, child custody cases should be able to be worked out through simple negotiation or mediation. When this is not possible, however, it becomes necessary to go through litigation and make your case in front of a judge.

When this occurs, we work hard to craft the most effective arguments possible. The courts look at many factors when determining the custody arrangement of children, and we take each of them into account when working on your case. The most common things that the courts consider are:

• What is in the best interests of the children?
• What can be done to build or maintain a close parent-child relationship with both parents?
• What is the mental/physical capacity of each parent to meet the needs of the children?
• What do the children prefer? (this is typically only considered for older children)
• What is the moral fitness of each parent?
• What is the developmental stage of the child? (Infants, for example, may need to be with the mother for breastfeeding)
• What is the lifestyle of each parent? (things like drug use, alcohol abuse, mental health issues, etc.)
• What is the work schedule of each parent?
• How much time has each parent spent with the child up to this point?

These are just some of the factors that go into determining child custody. It is important to have an experienced attorney on your side who can help you navigate these complex legal issues.

Can You Modify Child Custody Orders?

Once a custody order has been put in place, it can be very difficult to modify. To do so, you must show that there has been a “substantial change in circumstances” since the original order was put in place.

Some of the things that can be considered a substantial change in circumstances are:

• One of the parents has been arrested or convicted of a crime
• One of the parents has developed a drug or alcohol problem
• One of the parents has moved out of state
• The child’s needs have changed
• The child’s schedule has changed
• One of the parents is no longer able to care for the child

If you believe that there has been a substantial change in circumstances, you will need to file a petition with the court. The court will then hold a hearing, at which both sides will present their evidence. If the court finds that there has indeed been a substantial change in circumstances, they may modify the custody order.

Dealing with child custody issues can be incredibly difficult. You need an experienced attorney on your side who can help you navigate the legal process and fight for your rights.

At Atlanta Family Law Group LLC, our Atlanta child custody attorneys have years of experience handling these complex cases. We understand the Georgia laws that apply to child custody, and we know what it takes to get results. We will work tirelessly to protect your relationship with your children.

If you are going through a child custody case, contact our firm right away. We will examine your situation and explain your legal alternatives to you. Our experienced child custody lawyers are ready to defend you.

Do I Need a Child Custody Lawyer?

When you are facing a child custody dispute, the well-being of your children is likely to be your top priority. Navigating the legal process can be complex and overwhelming, particularly if you are also dealing with the emotional stress of divorce. An experienced child custody lawyer can help protect your rights and advocate for your children’s best interests.

Whether there is an immediate need for a child custody case, or you are just concerned about some of the things your ex is doing, now is the time to contact an attorney. Putting things off will only make it more difficult to get the results you are looking for.

If you have questions regarding custody, time-sharing, and parental responsibility either in a divorce or in a legitimation action, or the modification of a final child custody order, call us at (404) 963-9452 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation with our office to discuss how we may be able to help you accomplish your child custody goals.

During an initial consultation, we will review your custody goals and concerns, assess the facts and circumstances of your case, and provide you with an honest evaluation of what you can expect. We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your family, and we will do everything we can to help you through it.