Courts addressing custody issues require both parents to participate in creating a parenting plan. If parents cannot agree on the terms of custody, each party can submit an individual plan to the presiding judge. The plan covers critical aspects relevant to the well-being of the child.
You may want to discuss your options with a child custody lawyer in Georgia. He or she can advise you of your legal rights and opportunities while providing valuable insight derived from professional experience.
Five Elements of a Georgia Parenting Plan
You can better understand the Georgia parenting plan process by first considering what issues it covers. State laws outline what provisions must go into a comprehensive parenting agreement. At a minimum, a parenting plan must address the following elements:
1. Planning for the Best Interests of the Child
Parents must design the plan according to the best interests of the child. Both parties agree to foster individual relationships with the child and the other parent and to impose minimal interference. The only exception is when a temporary restraining order (TRO) or other limitation exists.
2. Planning Ahead Eases the Burden of Returning to Court
As children mature, their needs change. This consideration allows the plan to account for long-term needs while minimizing future modification requests. You cannot predict the future, but a child custody lawyer can offer guidance in this area to ensure that you are not over or under planning.
3. Physical Custody Equates to Full Responsibility
The person who has physical custody has control over day-to-day decisions. For example, your children live with your ex and are visiting you over winter break. Your ex cannot interfere with how you parent the children and vice versa when you are engaged in lawful activities.
4. Right to Access the Child’s Records Fosters Transparency
The State of Georgia grants both parents access to full transparency when it comes to the child’s personal records. As a parent, you have a right to inspect your child’s medical, school, insurance, and religious records.
5. Addressing Basic Physical and Co-Parenting Issues for Clarity
Finally, Georgia family courts require both parents to address issues in significant life areas of the child, including:
- Custody, holiday, vacation, and visitation schedules for each day of the year
- Where the child physically lives each day of the year
- How exchanges and drop-offs work including location, transportation costs, and contingency plans
- The terms and conditions of supervised visitation and the particulars therein
- Assignment of who makes decisions regarding particular life areas including health, education, religion, and extracurricular activities including how parents plan to resolve disagreements in these areas.
How a Child Custody Lawyer in Georgia can Help
Hiring a child custody attorney does not always indicate that trouble is on the horizon. It is your right to access counsel in all legal proceedings An attorney not only advises you of your rights, but he or she can draw upon experience, knowledge, and education to produce the best result for you and the little ones you love most in this world.
Discuss Your Parenting Plan Options with Charlton & Glover, P.C.
At Charlton & Glover, P.C., we serve families in Fulton County regarding parenting plans and other custody issues. Our child custody lawyers in Roswell are eager to learn more about your case. You can contact our office today by calling (770) 993-1005 or sending our team a message through our request form.
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