Atlanta Joint Custody Lawyers
During a divorce proceeding, it is easy to lose sight of what really matters when emotions are running high and the division of assets are at stake. Perhaps the most important decision you will make in your lifetime is the one regarding the custody of your children. Joint custody is becoming an increasingly popular choice among parents in the United States.
One misconception about child custody laws is that they tend to favor a mother’s rights for taking care of the children. However, it is more common to see parents being awarded joint physical and legal custody of their children when the judge believes that it is the best situation for all parties involved.
Arranging a custody agreement can be a complicated and daunting process, especially if both parents cannot come to an agreement. If you need assistance with a joint custody arrangement, it is best to have an experienced Atlanta joint custody lawyer on your side. Contact Kessler & Solomiany, LLC at (404) 688-8810 for help during this difficult time.
How a Joint Custody Lawyer Can Help
An experienced child custody attorney can help both parents come to a mutually satisfying resolution regarding shared parenting time with their children. When parents cannot cannot come to terms on a parenting arrangement, a lawyer can help with the negotiation process. They can also ensure that any agreement is constructed in a legally binding fashion, making it more difficult for a spouse to later renege on it.
A child custody lawyer can draw up a proposal for the judge that outlines a plan for the children’s upbringing. In this instance, a lawyer for each side will present their case before the court. The role of an attorney will be to present the agreed-upon terms to a judge, who can grant joint custody once both parents are satisfied with the shared parenting plans that have been presented.
A skilled custody lawyer can also negotiate or litigate the specifics of joint custody plans, such as parenting rotation, pickup and drop-off, holidays and vacation time, extracurricular activities, school events, and communication between parents and children, as well as resolve other disputes that may arise.
Why Choose Us
Kessler & Solomiany, LLC is one of the most distinguished domestic relations firms in the Atlanta area. We have developed an excellent reputation in all areas of family law, including issues involving joint custody. Our goal is to provide dependable and honorable representation to our clients throughout the Atlanta metro area. Our firm’s attorneys frequently serve as chairpersons, lecturers, and participants for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars in the state of Georgia and across the United States, as well as participate in charitable and community outreach events.
Our attorneys have a comprehensive understanding and background in all aspects of child custody cases, with extensive experience and training in hearings before judges. We are driven and determined to achieve positive results for you and your family, so you can resolve these difficult issues and move forward with your life.
How Joint Custody is Handled in Georgia
Joint custody not only involves joint physical custody for both parents, but it also grants parents the authority to make decisions that impact their children’s lives. In Section 19-9-6 of the Georgia Code, joint legal custody means that both parents have the right to make legal decisions regarding their children’s care. Any custody arrangement you and your former partner or spouse agree upon should address both physical and legal custody of the children.
Joint custody falls into two categories:
Joint Physical Custody
Joint physical custody addresses how each parent spends time with the child, and how much time the child will spend with each parent. Though joint physical custody should be equitable, it will not necessarily be equal. While some joint custody agreements do split time directly down the middle, more often one parent is labelled the primary custodian and given the majority of time, while the second parent is awarded significant visitation rights. Some child custody arrangements may involve splitting up a week to share parenting time, while others may have each parent take the child on alternating weeks. This is in opposition to a sole physical custody arrangement, where the second parent may have far less time, if any, with their child.
Joint Legal Custody
Joint legal custody addresses decisions about health care, religion, and education, as well as the child’s other activities. In a joint legal custody situation, both parents will have a say in these decisions, but one parent may have authority over the other in coming to a final decision, or there may be a split between the different areas of decision-making. For example, one parent may have the final say about education and school activities, while the other makes decisions regarding their children’s religious practices and health care.
Parents should consider their circumstances and their lifestyles before making decisions about joint custody. Although it may seem like the best arrangement, parents need to determine whether joint physical custody will work with their schedules, and whether they or their former spouse/partner will be able to agree about important decisions regarding their children. If both parents want a joint physical custody arrangement, they need to be able to cooperate and to live physically close enough to ensure this type of agreement will work. If you cannot agree on these factors, a court will probably not award joint physical custody of the children.
Contact Our Joint Custody Lawyers Today
If you need assistance with issues involving joint custody, Kessler & Solomiany, LLC can help. Our attorneys realize that this is a painful and confusing time for you, and will work to resolve your legal issues in a timely and compassionate manner. You may need the advice of a child custody lawyer to come to a resolution about shared parenting time. With the skilled assistance of our experienced lawyers, we can help both parents come to an agreement that ensures the family’s happiness and future well-being.
Do what is right for you and your children by contacting our law firm. Our child custody and visitation attorneys are here to make your child custody process as painless as possible, and we are available to answer all questions. Call us at (404) 688-8810 to schedule a consultation today.