Child Custody

Atlanta, Georgia Child Custody Attorney

If a divorcing couple has minor children, deciding child custody is central to their divorce. They or the court must decide who gets custody, with the other parent paying child support and having visitation rights.

If you are going through a divorce, a child custody battle, or are in the need for the modification of a decree, I can assist you. Contact me, Stephen Land, at 770-884-7047 to find out more.

Child Custody Laws

There are two types of custody, legal and physical:

• Legal custody determines who makes decisions about the child's upbringing, including decisions about religion, education, health, etc.
• Physical custody usually determines where the child lives.

Often, parents make an arrangement where one parent has primary physical custody and both parents share legal custody. Complete joint custody is fairly uncommon. In order for it to work, both parents have to get along very well and live close to one another.

In cases where parents are not married, it may be necessary to prove paternity. In Georgia, a father isn't legally considered the father until he gets an order of legitimation. If you are a father or mother wanting to prove paternity, I can advise you of the required legal steps.

Child Custody Modifications

If there are modifications to custody that involve child relocation, the court decides the matter based on the best interest of the child. National and international custody disputes are even more stressful and costly than the ordinary kind.

Child Custody Battles

In child custody battles, the courts have traditionally favored the mother. Today, this is less true, but a bias still exists. There is still a bias toward the mother for very young children. As the children get older, that bias tends to lessen. At 14, a child can choose which parent he or she wants to live with, but the ultimate decision will be made by the judge using the best interests of the child standard.

Avoiding Litigation, Protecting the Children

If you are facing divorce and you have children, please remember that, although you may live separately, a child does best with two parents. This means you still have to work together with the other parent.

A fully contested child custody battle is often very damaging to a child and the scars sometimes never heal. Although I have tried plenty of them, I do all that I can to resolve the case without litigation for that very reason.

Contact Stephen A. Land, LLC to speak to an Atlanta, Georgia child custody lawyer.