Compassionate Columbus Child Custody Attorney

Child custody and visitation are often sensitive and emotional areas of family law. Parents going through a divorce may be overwhelmed by the thought of having to arrange and share custody or visitation with their ex-spouse. This complex situation is often confusing for parents as well as the children.

I’m here to help make this process as smooth as possible for your family. I represent parents who fight to protect their children while prioritizing their children’s best interests.

What Type Of Custody Do You Need?

Determining the right type of custody for your situation is crucial. Every family is different, and what works best for someone else may not work for you. Here are the four common types of custody that come up during custody proceedings:

• Legal custody: This type of custody gives parents the authority and responsibility to make important life decisions for their children, such as their education, health care and religion. Legal custody can be awarded to one or both parents.
• Physical custody: This refers to a child’s living arrangements after divorce. One or both parents can seek physical custody.
• Sole custody: Sole custody is usually awarded when one parent is deemed unfit to care for the child, or the non-custodial parent has been an abuser of either the custodial parent or the child.
• Shared custody: This is when both parents share legal and physical custody of their child. In this arrangement, co-parents often work together when making decisions regarding their child’s upbringing, such as their education and health care, and then the parents create a schedule for shared time with the children.

No matter what type of custody you are seeking, the process can be stressful and complex. With 30 years of family law experience, I’m familiar with the challenges of custody disputes and can help you prepare a solid strategy for achieving the custody you want.

A Strong Advocate For Children

Children often get caught in the middle of custody disputes. As they cannot make their own decisions in these situations, it’s important to have an attorney who can still prioritize their needs on your side. I will work closely with you and your children to learn about their needs so that I can advocate for a solution that is truly best for them.

While I represent parents, I also serve as a Guardian Ad Litem for children at times. Even when advocating for a parent, I always provide objective counsel that aims to serve the best interests of the children involved, who have no way to advocate for themselves. My child-focused approach helps ensure that your child’s voice isn’t entirely lost during this process. Children deserve a safe and loving environment in which to grow. I work tirelessly to ensure that these custody decisions will support them through this challenging stage in their lives.

Understanding Child Support

In some custody cases, one parent may need to pay child support to the other for the care and upbringing of the child. The courts consider different factors when determining child support, including:

• The income of each parent
• The earning potential of each parent
• The number of children
• The time spent with the child or children
• Health and life insurance
• Alimony

Calculating child support is different for every case. I can help you prepare for this part of your custody process to ensure you get the best outcome, regardless of whether you’re paying or receiving child support.

Helping Families Grow Through Adoption

Adoption is often a rewarding way to grow your family. Welcoming a child into your home can be a beautiful but stressful experience. With 30 years of experience as a Columbus family lawyer, I know how this process works and can guide you through the steps.

Common Questions About Custody

Custody and visitation are broad areas of family law that can be overwhelming to navigate. Let me help answer common questions so you feel prepared as you move forward.

How is child custody determined in Georgia?

Child custody is determined by considering a variety of factors, including:

• Each parent’s relationship with the child
• Each parent’s familiarity with the child’s needs
• Each parent’s ability and capacity to provide those needs
• Each parent’s living environment
• Each parent’s physical and mental health
• Each parent’s history of violence, substance abuse or criminal activity
• Each parent’s availability to care for and spend time with the child
• Each parent’s involvement in their child’s education and social activities

Children 14 or older can make an election that the court will take into consideration.

Can custody arrangements be modified?

A custody arrangement made during a divorce may not hold up in the future as your family may go through certain life changes. Modifications can be requested if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as:

• Substance abuse by a parent
• Criminal activity by a parent
• A parent relocating due to a new job
• A parent getting remarried
• The ages and needs of the children changes as they get older

Modifying custody requires ensuring the change is within the child’s best interests. I can help you plan and prepare to make this request and achieve a favorable outcome.

What is a parenting plan, and why is it important?

A parenting plan is essentially a schedule and strategy between co-parents that outlines your parenting responsibilities. Parenting plans can address important issues, including the child’s daily living arrangements, decision-making authority, child exchanges, communication methods, the child’s education and medical needs, travel arrangements, child discipline and more.

A strong parenting plan serves as a parenting manual to help co-parents navigate raising their child or children together but separately. This allows you both to be on the same page and know how to resolve any parenting issues that you may face.

A Custody Lawyer You Can Trust

The stress of navigating custody and parenting plan orders can be overwhelming. Working with an experienced Columbus family attorney can help make a difference as you go through this challenging time.

Call my firm today at 706-447-9698 to learn more about how I can help your case. Or, send an email through the online form.