Resolving Child Custody Disputes
Child custody is one of the most difficult issues a parent faces during divorce. At my firm, the Law Office of Erin Muldoon Haug, I am dedicated to protecting your rights to raise your child in a healthy, thriving environment.
Drawing on years of experience, I represent parents in Georgia in all aspects of child custody and visitation, including:
- Primary and joint custody arrangements
- Visitation rights
- Grandparent visitation
- Modification of custody and visitation orders
- Enforcement of orders
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency proceedings
- Decisions related to religion, education and upbringing of the child
The Law Office of Erin Muldoon Haug is committed to helping you maintain a meaningful relationship with the child you love.
Reliable Counsel Provides Advantages In Mediation
Children are best served when parents maintain a cordial relationship. Through the structured process of mediation, couples can often set aside hostility and agree on key decisions affecting their children. Mediation can be a highly effective tool for parents to preserve their children’s well-being and the stability of their lives during the turbulent process of divorce. Mediation takes some of the stress out of child custody conflicts and puts important child-rearing decisions in the hands of the parents rather than the court. As a family law attorney, I meticulously develop mediation strategies that carefully guide the negotiating process toward healthy resolution.
Skilled Litigation In Family Court
In some cases, litigation is necessary to protect a child’s best interests. When one parent refuses to compromise or expresses hostility toward the other parent, negotiations fail. Sometimes a parent may even pose a danger to the child’s well-being. In these cases, litigation is the most appropriate forum for establishing parental rights. My firm’s methodical approach to litigation enables you to feel confident that your children are protected and your parental rights are secure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody And Child Support In Georgia
Here is a collection of frequently asked questions about child custody and support:
What factors do Georgia courts consider when determining child custody?
In contested custody cases, judges decide custody arrangements based on the child’s best interests. There are a few factors that can determine the outcome of custody arrangements, including:
- Each parent’s ability to meet their child’s needs
- A child’s safety and stability when with each parent
- A parent’s history of a criminal conviction, substance use or abuse
In general, however, the judge is free to consider any factor they consider relevant to the proceedings.
Can grandparents petition for visitation rights in Georgia?
Yes. Grandparents may petition for visitation rights of their grandchildren in Georgia – but only under specific circumstances, and the courts generally presume that the child’s parents are the best authority of what is in the child’s best interests unless proven otherwise. The court will only give grandparents visitation rights over a parent’s objections when there is clear, convincing evidence that the child will be harmed if the visitation is denied.
What is the difference between physical custody and legal custody in Georgia?
Physical custody is the time children spend with their parents. Parents with physical custody are responsible for meeting their children’s daily needs, such as making food or taking them to school. Legal custody is a parent’s right to decide what is best for their child’s upbringing. For example, a parent with legal custody can decide where their child goes to school.
How can I modify a child custody or child support order in Georgia?
Yes. Parents can petition to alter child custody agreements or orders of support in Georgia by showing that a significant shift in circumstances warrants the changes.
What happens if a parent fails to pay child support in Georgia?
If a parent does not pay child support, they could face fines, wage garnishment, the loss of their professional licenses and even incarceration. Changes to child support agreements must be sanctioned by the court.
Contact An Experienced And Reputable Family Law Attorney In Savannah, Georgia
Call the Law Office of Erin Muldoon Haug at 912-421-7084 or contact my firm online to schedule a consultation with a family law attorney in Savannah, Georgia.