Hiring the best Child Custody attorney is one of the most important decisions that a parent can make during and after a divorce or separation. The right lawyer will protect your parental rights while helping you reach an agreement that is in the best interest of your children.
The goal of the court in custody matters is to maximize the participation of both parents in the life of the child. This doesn’t necessarily mean that each parent gets equal time, but rather that the child will have a stable and consistent environment. Parents should work together to try to reach an agreement but if they are not able to do so the court will decide for them.
There are several different types of custody arrangements. The most common are shared and sole custody. With shared custody, the children live with each parent for a significant portion of their lives. The parent who has the children the least amount of time is called the non-custodial parent. The non-custodial parent will have visitation rights and a right to ask about the status of their children from the custodial parent.
In a contentious case, the court may order a forensic expert to meet with the parents and child to interview them and perform tests. This person will then provide a report to the court that will help it determine what type of custody arrangement would be best for the child. The judge will consider all of the information and evidence presented before making a decision about custody.
A Knoxville family lawyer can help you prepare your custody and visitation plan, and can assist you in negotiating an appropriate settlement with your co-parent. Child custody is a serious matter that can be very emotional for all involved. The more you know about your options and how the law applies to your situation, the better prepared you will be to communicate with your co-parent.
Many times, the court will allow the parents to mutually agree on a custody and visitation schedule. This can save a lot of time, money and stress for everyone involved.
When the court does not approve of this arrangement, it will set a timetable for how long each party must go to trial before reaching an agreement. The court will then grant or deny the parents’ requests for a modification of this arrangement.
The best way to keep your Child Custody case moving forward is by working together with your co-parent and their attorney to find solutions outside of court. Family law professionals like parenting coordinators, mediators and collaborative lawyers can help you get to a mutually acceptable agreement that will be beneficial for you and your child.
Rebecca Bell Jenkins, Attorney at Law is a family law attorney who serves clients in Knoxville and its surrounding areas. She works with parents seeking advice regarding the process of modifying or enforcing child support payments. She assists parents in presenting their circumstances during the determination of child support obligations and also helps them bring an action to enforce child support orders that are not being paid.