Child Custody/Visitation

Experienced Family Law Lawyer in Georgia

No issue in a divorce case is as emotional as those of child custody and visitation. Answering the question, "Who will raise the children?" can be complex. Planned changes to Georgia's child custody and visitation laws scheduled to go into effect in January 2008 further complicate the issue and place new requirements on the parties and their attorneys.

Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the law firm of Jody A. Miller represents parents in divorces involving child custody and visitation. We understand that there is nothing in life more precious than a child. Parties in a divorce can resolve their custody issues by agreeing to a parenting plan, or they can have a judge issue an order concerning child custody and visitation in the event of a lack of agreement as to a custody and visitation plan. To learn how to protect your custody and visitation rights, contact us to schedule an appointment with an experienced family law attorney.

A judge bases decisions concerning child custody and visitation on what is in a child's best interest. This is a fact-specific process. No one factor is more important than another. Here are some of factors a court may consider when awarding custody and visitation:

• Which parent provides day-to-day care
• A person's parental fitness
• An existing agreement
• Ability to encourage a continued relationship with all parties

In Georgia, there are two forms of custody that the court must award: physical and legal custody. Physical custody refers to where a child actually resides. Legal custody refers to a parent's right to make decisions about a child's welfare. The court will award physical or legal custody, and the award may or joint or sole custody.

In January 2008, parents will have to deal with significant changes in child custody and visitation laws. Children over the age of 14 will no longer have the right to select which parent with whom they wish to live. In addition, in all divorces that concern child custody, parents must create a parenting plan for the Judge’s consideration.

These are just a few of the issues that parents must deal with during a divorce. Contact us at the law office of Jody A. Miller to learn more. We represent people throughout Georgia, including locations such as Carrolton, Decatur, Lawrenceville, and Marietta.