Columbus Georgia uncontested divorce law firm
Chattahoochee County child support attorneys
Custody cases in Columbus Georgia
The well being of children is of major concern to the Court. Neither parent is automatically entitled to custody. The judge looks at the best interests of the child when determining the proper parent to have child custody. The court considers various factors at the time of determining child custody. Those factors are the age and sex of the child, compatibility with each parent, and the ability of each parent to care for and nurture the child. A child over 14 years of age can select which parent will have child custody with the consent of the judge. In election situations, yet, the trial court has a wide latitude and discretion in deciding whether the chosen parent is a fit and proper person to have custody. As to a child at least 11 but not 14 years old, the judge will look at the desires, if any, and educational needs of the child when determining custody between the parents, but the judge will have complete discretion and the childs wishes will not be overriding. Law considers it important for a child to maintain a relationship with both parents; and so visitation rights are awarded to the parent who is not given legal custody of the child.
The court in its discretion can award joint child custody and not sole custody. There are two types of joint child custody. Joint legal custody means that both parents have equal rights and responsibilities for major decisions about the child. Joint physical custody means that physical child custody is shared by the parents in such a way to assure the child substantially equal time and contact with both parents. When granting joint custody, the court may order joint legal child custody, joint physical custody, or both.
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The Law office of Scot Sikes handles family law in Columbus GA. Scot Sikes is a Columbus GA divorce lawyer & Georgia child custody attorney.
706-494-6900 – www.columbus-divorce.com
Fort Benning GA military divorce lawyer,
GA Uncontested Divorce – GA Contested Divorce – Separation – Spousal Support – Property Division – Alimony – Military Divorce – Contempt Actions in Divorce Cases – Child Custody modification – Child Support Modification – Child Visitation. Columbus GA Divorce lawyer and uncontested divorce attorney.