When going through a divorce or child custody case in Georgia, it’s essential to understand your rights as a parent. These rights are designed to protect both your interests and those of your child. Being knowledgeable about your rights can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Georgia’s Best Interest Standard
In the heart of Georgia’s family law system lies the “best interest” standard. It’s not just a catchphrase; it’s a holistic approach to ensure that children’s welfare is at the forefront of every decision. But what does it mean? The court will assess several factors to guarantee that the child’s overall well-being is considered. Factors may include:
- The emotional bond between the child and each parent.
- Each parent’s ability to provide a stable home environment.
- The child’s age and preference, if the child is mature enough to express a reasoned and independent preference.
- Each parents work schedule and availability to the child.
- Each parent’s mental and physical health.
- The child’s adjustment to their community, school, and current home.
Both parents have an equal opportunity to present arguments and evidence to demonstrate that their proposed custody plan aligns with their child’s best interests.
Legal vs. Physical Custody in Georgia
Navigating the maze of custody decisions is daunting. It’s more than just who gets the child during holidays or weekends. Let’s clarify the two main types of custody – legal and physical.
- Legal Custody: Think of legal custody as the authority or right to make critical life decisions for your child. This doesn’t mean choosing what cereal they eat for breakfast but rather involves significant choices. For instance:
- Educational decisions: Which school should the child attend? Is tutoring required?
- Healthcare choices: Medical treatments, therapies, and major medical decisions.
- Religious upbringing: What religious teachings, if any, should the child be exposed to?
- Extracurricular activities: What after school, weekend or summer activities will the child participate in?
Both parents can jointly make these decisions, or one parent might be given the primary say, depending on the court’s judgment.
- Physical Custody: This revolves around the child’s living arrangements. Where will your child hang their hat at the end of the day? With joint physical custody, children spend time with both parents, according to a set schedule. However, with sole physical custody, a child resides with one parent, while the other receives visitation rights only if the parent with sole custody agrees to the visitation.
It’s vital to introspect about your preferred custody type, how it aligns with your child’s needs, and how you can actively demonstrate that alignment to the court. Every child and situation are unique; understanding these nuances ensures their best interests are preserved.
Your Right to Visitation
If one parent is granted primary physical custody, the other parent usually receives visitation rights. This ensures that the child maintains a relationship with both parents. The visitation schedule can be flexible and is often determined based on the child’s needs and parents’ availability.
Relocation and Your Rights
Relocating after a divorce can be complex, especially if children are involved. In Georgia, if a parent wishes to move, they might need to provide notice to the other parent and possibly get court approval. This ensures that the relocation doesn’t interfere with the other parent’s rights or the child’s best interests.
The Right to Modify Custody or Support
Life changes. If significant changes occur in your life or your child’s life, you have the right to request a modification to the custody or child support order. However, you must show that these changes have a direct impact on your child’s well-being.
Ensuring Fair Financial Support
Child support is crucial to ensuring that children receive the necessary financial support from both parents. In Georgia, child support is calculated using a specific formula that takes into account both parents’ incomes, the child’s needs, and other relevant factors. Understanding how this works can be beneficial for both parties.
Seek Guidance from Tessie D. Edwards & Associates, P.C.
When faced with a divorce or child custody case, it’s vital to be proactive in understanding and advocating for your parental rights. By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to ensure a favorable outcome for both you and your child. When you work with a dedicated attorney at Tessie D. Edwards & Associates, P.C., we will use every available strategy to achieve your goals and obtain a support plan to meet your needs. Call us at (404) 330-8833 for a confidential consultation to learn more about how we could assist in your case.