How Is Child Custody Determined in Georgia?
Posted on Jul 26, 2019 4:35pm PDT
The state of Georgia has its own unique set of child custody laws and regulations
that judges adhere to when awarding custody to parents in
divorce cases. If you are going through a divorce and you want to obtain custody of
your children, it is important that you understand Georgia’s child
custody laws. Like other states, courts in Georgia always consider the
best interests of the child when making such decisions.
Custody Arrangements
Both parents have equal rights when it comes to
child custody arrangements in the state of Georgia. You can be awarded two types of custody in Georgia:
legal custody and physical custody.
A parent who is granted legal custody can make important decisions regarding
the child. Parents that have been granted joint legal custody both have
equal rights and responsibilities when it comes to making important decisions
for their child. One of the parents will have final decision-making authority
for the child’s medical, educational, extracurricular, and religious
upbringing.
The parent the child will primarily live with will be granted physical
custody. When courts grant joint physical custody, both parents share
equal time and contact with the child.
If you are getting divorced in Georgia and your child is age 14 or older,
they can elect which parent they would prefer to live with. Although children
of a certain age can choose the parent they want to live with, judges
can overrule the custody election if they decide that living with the
preferred parent wouldn’t be in the child’s best interest.
Speak to an Experienced Lawyer About Your Case
Are you going through a difficult divorce and custody battle? At The Herrin
Law Firm, P.C., we are committed to helping clients resolve their legal
disputes so they can move on to the next phase of their lives. Our legal
team understands how complicated divorce and child custody matters can
be, which is why we are here to guide you through the entire process and
make sure your interests are protected. Get in touch with us today to
discuss the details of your case.
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request your free case evaluation with a member of our law firm. We are here to serve you!