Helping You Resolve Child Custody Issues While Serving The Best Interests Of Your Children

Going through a divorce is never easy. One of the most contentious issues is who will have custody of the children. At The Law Office of Ashley McCartney, LLC, we help you and your family makes this difficult transition from one household to two as smoothly as possible.

Understanding The Child Custody Legal Process

The Georgia family law courts make all decisions based on the best interests of the children. The courts often want to see one parent with primary custody, so there is a permanent address. Joint physical custody is becoming less common, but it does occur in certain situations. In many cases, a guardian ad litem is appointed to represent the children in child custody issues. A guardian ad litem conducts an investigation and provides a recommendation to the court as to what is in the children’s best interests.

The goal of the courts is to keep the lives of your children as undisturbed as possible. Courts take a variety of things into account when making this decision. A few things that are taken into consideration include:

• Education — Which parent is located near the children’s current school and whether or not the other parent’s location provides for a better opportunity for the children, as well as who helps with homework and is involved in the child’s school?
• Living situation — Where, and how, is each parent living and how can he or she accommodate the children at his or her current residence?
• Schedules — How much time does each parent have to spend with the children while they are not in school?
• Primary caregiver — Who has been the primary caregiver up until now?
• Physical and substance abuse — Are there issues of abuse, alcohol or drugs in the past with either parent?
• Ability to nurture the children’s relationship with the other parent — Who is more likely to ensure the children have a close relationship with both parents?

Our Atlanta child custody attorney works with you to negotiate the best possible arrangement for you and your children. Whether you are seeking custody or visitation, we help you preserve your relationship with your children after the divorce.

What Goes Into Determinations Regarding Visitation

In most cases, each parent is entitled to time with his or her children, regardless of who gets custody. The plan for visitation, or parenting time, becomes part of the overall parenting plan that is submitted to the courts, illustrating how much time each parent has during the week or month and where the children spend holidays and birthdays.

Our lawyer helps you determine how much parenting time you want with your children and how best to arrange it to accommodate your schedule, your spouse’s schedule and your children’s schedules. We also handle modifications of court orders, if you or your spouse decides to move away from the Atlanta area or your visitation schedule is no longer workable.

Dedicated Child Custody Representation

For a consultation, call us at 404-874-0240, or contact us. We will discuss the legal process in great detail and will be there for you until final resolution of your matter. We accept credit cards for payment.