A Knowledgeable and Empathetic Legal Team Helping Individuals and Families Struggling with Complex Child Custody Cases in Sumner County, Tennessee

Individuals have many critical concerns when going through the divorce process or beginning a legal separation, including property division and spousal support. However, for unions that resulted in the birth of a child, extra concerns will come into play, such as legal and physical custody, child support, the well-being of minor children, and fundamental parental rights. Child custody cases are among Tennessee courtrooms’ most contentious and hard-fought after family law issues. Whether you are fighting for sole or joint custody, attempting to prove paternity, or modifying an existing child custody order, you must seek the legal services of attorneys with extensive experience handling such cases.

Our law offices have years of experience serving Gallatin in various family law cases, including complex child custody disputes, questions about legal parentage, and claims of domestic violence or inhumane treatment. As your legal counsel, we will work diligently throughout the process, regularly keeping you informed about any status updates, as we seek to achieve a favorable outcome in your child custody legal matters.

We offer prospective new clients a free consultation during which they can sit down with our legal team and discuss some of their questions and concerns. Contact our Middle Tennessee law firm to schedule your free case review today.

What Are the Different Types of Child Custody Arrangements in Gallatin, TN?

Legal custody grants a parent the legal authority to make important life decisions on behalf of their minor children, such as essential decisions relating to health care, religious upbringing, education, and more. Physical custody refers to a parent providing shelter and food for their child.

In sole custody agreements, one parent is entrusted to be the sole caregiver for their minor children. This arrangement can be based on physical or legal custody. In a sole custody arrangement, the primary caregiver does not need to seek the other parent’s input when making critical decisions.

Joint custody arrangements involve both parents sharing close to equal amounts of custody of their children. In a joint custody agreement, the parents must work together to resolve issues, care for their child’s well-being, and look after the child’s best interests.

In primary custody arrangements, one parent typically has primary decision-making authority, while the non-custodial parent can still provide input into the child’s care and upbringing.

Tennessee is a 50/50 custody state. Family law judges will typically award joint custody to both parents unless there is a valid reason not to do so. If you are fighting for sole custody, please contact our law firm for assistance.

What Factors Can Inform the Decision-Making of Family Courts in Child Custody Cases?

In separation and divorce cases, the two parents present an agreement to the courts for a judge’s approval. If the parents cannot mutually agree on a child custody arrangement, family law courts must decide for them, always using the child’s best interests as their guiding light.

The various factors that are used to determine how a child custody case is decided may include the following:

• A parent’s ability to provide a stable, safe, and satisfactory home environment
• Family unit stability
• Any claims of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or sexual violence in the household
• Each parent’s past, present, and future abilities to act as a primary caregiver, including questions about their earning capacity
• Housing, school, social, and community records of the children
• Past evidence of performance handling parenting responsibilities, and a willingness to foster a healthy relationship between the child and the other parent
• Love, affection, and emotional bonds that exist between the parents and the child
• The ability and disposition of either parent to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, education, medical care, and any other basic needs that would be asked of them as a primary caregiver
• Reasonable preferences expressed by the child, provided they are 12 or older, may be considered
• The mental, physical, and emotional health of both parents
• Unsavory behavior of any individual who resides with or frequents the residence of a parent, and any questions about that individual’s interactions with the child

Is it Possible to Modify Existing Child Custody Orders?

Child custody modifications can be requested if a significant change in circumstances alters the child’s life or a parent’s ability to provide for their child. For example, if a parent is forced to move far away or change jobs, they may see a dramatic change in their availability to act as the child’s caregiver. Similarly, suppose there are new developing issues with the child’s school or healthcare within their city or state. This may be considered a significant change of circumstances that warrants modifying the existing parenting plan.

Child custody modifications are not granted in every case. Please contact our law office for legal assistance to ensure you can successfully request a modification to your child custody order.

What Are Your Legal Options if the Other Parent Violates the Terms of the Child Custody Agreement?

If one parent fails to follow the terms of the child custody plan, your legal representatives can file for an enforcement or a contempt order, depending on the situation. Examples of violation of child custody orders include withholding visitation, making critical life decisions for the child without the consent of the other parent, issues where a parent takes the child out of state without permission, and more.

Our Tennessee child custody lawyers have the knowledge and experience you need to help you obtain a favorable outcome in your case. Schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation today to learn more about the benefits of retaining our legal services.

What Other Related Practice Areas Do Our Family Lawyers Represent?

In addition to representing clients in the complexities of child custody negotiations and disputes, our family lawyers are proud to provide compassionate legal help in other related practice areas.

Examples include the following:

• Contested and uncontested divorce cases
• Adoption
• Child support orders, enforcement, and modifications
• Determining paternity
• Fathers’ rights
• Parental relocation
• Grandparent visitation rights
• Legal separation
• Spousal support (alimony) orders and modifications
• Marital property division
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
• Family law mediation
• And more

Contact Us to Discuss Your Legal Matters in Your Free Initial Consultation with Our Compassionate Gallatin, TN Lawyers

Our firm’s Gallatin child custody lawyers have extensive experience representing clients in various family law cases, including the most contentious and legally complex child custody disputes. As your legal representatives, we will explore all potential options to help you reach a satisfactory conclusion to your case, including the possibility of mediation.

Ultimately, the right path for you will depend on the unique factors of your particular child custody case. To discuss your legal issues in more detail, we encourage you to contact our law office to schedule your free consultation with our team today. 

You can reach us at 615-502-4336.