When a marriage ends, determining custody is one of the most important legal issues. Whether you are going through a divorce or a separation, and regardless of what type of relationship you had with your spouse, it is important to get the best Child Custody attorney on your side. Choosing the right lawyer will help ensure that your children are well-taken care of. Check out https://www.knoxvilledivorceattorney.net/child-custody/ to find the #1 child custody lawyer in Knoxville, TN.

While custody is usually the most hotly contested issue in a divorce or separation, parents are generally allowed to determine their own arrangements and put them in writing through a legal agreement (such as a separation agreement). While this arrangement may be difficult at first, it is usually less expensive and much more flexible than going to court. Additionally, the courts rarely interfere with this sort of agreement unless there is a clear and present danger to a child’s well being.

In some cases, a judge will order an assessment by a psychologist to see how the parents and children are doing in the home. The court will then decide what is in the child’s best interests. This type of assessment is most often ordered when one parent believes the other parent has become an unfit parent.

Judges are supposed to maximize the involvement of both parents in a child’s life. This does not mean, however, that a child should be with each parent for equal time. Rather, quality time is better than quantity of time. For example, an hour cheering on your child at their soccer game is far better than countless hours sitting in front of a computer screen playing video games.

Depending on the circumstances, the judge will also look at who has been taking care of the child in the past. In most situations, a judge will award the parent who has been providing the child with a stable and consistent environment. This is particularly true when there is a history of abuse or neglect.

There are several types of custody awards that can be made. These include sole legal, joint, or shared custody. In sole legal custody, one parent has full decision making rights. In joint or shared custody, the parents share decision-making rights and both have access to the child’s education records. In some cases, the judge will award a child a guardian ad litem to advocate for the child’s wishes and needs.

The Los Angeles family lawyers at Boyd Law can help you understand the different types of custody awards and the pros and cons of each one. We can then help you reach a custody and visitation arrangement that works for your family. Call us today to set up a free consultation. We can answer your questions about child custody and visitation in a confidential, discreet, professional manner. The attorneys listed on this website are independently verified by FindLaw. They meet stringent requirements for experience, knowledge of the law, and client commitment. They are also rated highly by their peers and are in good standing with the Tennessee Bar Association.