Obtaining child custody in Georgia may constitute an exhausting process. Testimonies and allegations may infiltrate divorce proceedings, and unexpected outcomes may ensue.
Understanding the differences in awarded custody may clearly prepare you for all possibilities during your divorce. You may feel confident in knowing the types of custody as well as the various elements of Georgia divorce law.
Preparing for custody hearings may help you claim your rights to your children more thoughtfully and clearly. You may find comfort in knowing the defined basics of your awarded custody, and you may even avoid future confusion, hearings and wasted money in court.
Sole and joint custody
- A court awards sole custody in Georgia should one parent prove best suited to make all decisions and supervise a child.
- Joint custody, which proves generally assumed in Georgia unless the safety of the child is compromised, involves decisions and supervision by both parents.
Legal and physical custody
- A parent awarded legal custody in Georgia obtains the right to make decisions regarding religion, education and other activities in which the child participates.
- Physical custody refers to the care and supervision of the child. Usually, the court awards the same or both parents with physical and legal custody.
The Georgia parenting plan
Parenting plans require parents in Georgia to agree to custody arrangements before a custody hearing. A parenting plan allows parents to decide:
- Arrangements of a complete parenting time schedule for each day of the year
- A proposal for contact between their child and each parent
- Agreements about where and how their child spends holidays and vacations
- Preparations regarding transportation methods and meeting places for child drop-offs
A parenting plan ensures that parents agree to the same provisions at identical times.
When arguing for custody, remember that the safety and security of your child lies at the center of a judge’s decision. Knowing the makings of each custody type may help you better understand court decisions and determine which custody type proves best for your child.
