Child Custody Lawyers Clarksville, TN
How Is Child Custody Determined in TN?
In family courts, the goal is to do whatever is best for the child, and that usually means keeping both parents involved as equally as possible. If one parent abandons the child, the courts may limit their ability to be involved. Otherwise, both parents should be allowed to have regular interaction with their family.
Who gets more custody depends on factors such as:
- Their ability to provide for their child
- Whether or not there is a history of abuse
- How cooperative each parent is
- Where the child attends school
- The child’s decision, so long as they are at least 12 years old
Because these factors can be so subjective, building a compelling case for your interests is crucial. If you are to obtain more time with your child, you will need to show that you can be the parent they need. At Goble & Yow Attorneys, PLLC, we have over 35 combined years of experience building cases that help our clients obtain the best outcomes for their situations.
Call Goble & Yow Attorneys, PLLC today by dialing (931) 283-2311. You can also contact us online.
Can I Relocate My Child?
In Tennessee, the laws are meant to help joint custody parents to both have a good relationship with their child. This means each parent is expected to allow the other parent to communicate with them, but physical visitation does not have to be included. Unlike other states, you do not always have to modify a court order to move away so long as the other party cannot show you are leaving to keep the child away from their parent.
The other noncustodial parent must still be able to have a relationship with their child through:
- Mail that is not censored by the custodial parent
- Phone calls
- Timely information should the child be in serious medical condition
- Ability to participate in the child’s school and extracurricular activities\
What is Considered an Unfit Parent in Tennessee?
There are a few behaviors that are likely to lead to a parent being deemed as unfit for child custody, these are:
- Child abuse
- Child neglect
- Child abandonment
Furthermore, if a parent is not concerned about taking care of the well-being of the child, then that parent could be unfit for custody. If you have any further questions bout this, do not hesitate to contact our firm.
What Rights Does a Father Have in Tennessee?
A father who is not married to the mother when the child is born must establish paternity before having any custody and visitation rights. Paternity is either established through a “Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity” or DNA testing. Once paternity is established, then the father has custody and visitation rights. A father who is married to the mother when the child is born will have the same rights to custody and visitation as the mother.
Child Custody FAQs in Tennessee
- What is the difference between legal and physical custody? - Physical custody refers to the child’s physical living arrangement. Either the child will live with one parent 100% of the time, or the time will be split between both parents. Legal custody refers to the important decisions made on behalf of the child such as education, health, extracurricular activities, etc. Again, there might only be one parent that has the right to decide these matters, or both parents will share in that responsibility.
- Do courts favor mothers in custody cases? - The courts do not inherently favor mothers in custody cases. Tennessee used to adhere to the “tender years” doctrine, which did favor custody for the mother when the child was young enough to be considered in the tender years. However, Tennessee no longer recognizes this as a factor in custody cases.
- What is parenting time? - Parenting time is Tennessee’s term for visitation. It refers to when the non-custodial parent can spend time with the child.
- When can my child decide who to live with? - The courts in Tennessee will factor the child’s preference in its decision once the child is 12 years old. However, this is till only one of many factors the courts will use to determine custody rights.
If you are going through a divorce ensuring a parent’s right to see their child is something we take seriously at Goble & Yow Attorneys, PLLC. For decades, our team of experienced Clarksville child custody lawyers has made it a priority to fight for our clients’ rights when it comes to being present for their family. If you believe your current child custody situation is unfair or unreasonable, call our team today and schedule a free consultation. We take the time to help you better understand your situation and protect your interests with your family.
Call our Clarksville child custody lawyer at (931) 283-2311 today or contact us online.
