You've come to the right place. If you are a divorcing or unmarried parent a custody and visitation lawyer can help resolve legal and physical custody issues involving your children.
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Child Custody Proceedings. In all Georgia child custody proceedings, courts do not assume that the child is better with either one of the parents, according to O.C.G.A. §19-9-3. Rather, a judge would decide a child custody arrangement based on the specific circumstances of each case, in accordance with the best interests of the child.
Child Custody and Parenting Plans. In any court case where child custody is at issue, parents must usually submit a parenting plan to the court, according to Official Code of Georgia Annotated §19-9-1.
Under O.C.G.A. §19-9-3, a judge may consider any relevant factor to determine the best interests of the child, including but not limited to: 1 Emotional ties between the child and each parent 2 Ability and willingness of each parent to provide care and guidance 3 Home environment of each parent 4 Health of each parent
If a child is 14 years of age or older , they have the right to select the parent with whom they want to live, according to O.C.G.A. §19-9-3. The child’s choice is presumptive, meaning that a judge will generally not override that choice unless they explicitly find the choice is not in the child’s best interests.