Smyrna Child Custody Lawyer
Child Custody Attorney In Smyrna, TN
Divorce can be difficult for any family, but for those with children, it can be especially stressful. Smyrna families often enjoy a close-knit community, and maintaining stability for your child during such a transition is essential. A Smyrna child custody lawyer can help you navigate this process while protecting your parental rights and prioritizing your child’s well-being.
Hire a Child Custody Lawyer
In Tennessee, child custody orders are determined under Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106, which requires courts to decide cases based on the best interests of the child. Experiencing a divorce can be overwhelming for both parents and their children, and consulting a Smyrna Divorce Lawyer can help you navigate the legal process with clarity and support.
Since 1975, Evans Bulloch Parker PLLC has served Middle Tennessee residents in all manner of family law matters. Having a skilled Smyrna child custody attorney help you draft a parenting plan can ensure your parental rights are upheld. Our team is experienced in both negotiations and litigation.
Divorce and Child Custody in the United States
Research from the Pew Research Center determined that most divorces occur within the first nine years of marriage, while a much lower percentage of divorces occur after 25 or more years. This trend indicates that many marital separations take place during the years in which couples are likely to be raising young children, rather than after their children have grown. As a result, custody and parenting-time arrangements are among the most important issues families face during and after a divorce in Smyrna, TN.
Child Custody in Tennessee
In Tennessee, judges make determinations on two aspects of child custody, physical and legal custody. Child custody laws allow judges to use their discretion when determining what is in the best interests of the child.
Physical custody determines with whom the child primarily resides. Judges look at factors such as work schedules, school enrollment, and extracurricular activities when making determinations on physical custody. When joint physical custody is awarded, a schedule is set that determines when the child should reside with which parent.
Legal custody is often awarded to the primary guardian, although there are situations in which joint legal custody can be awarded. Legal custody determines which guardian can make important decisions about the child’s upbringing. These decisions include healthcare, education, religion, and extracurricular activities.
Child Custody Determination
During the divorce process, a judge makes determinations on physical and legal child custody by looking at numerous factors, including:
- Child/parent relationships
- Sibling/family member relationships
- Child’s adjustment
- Continuity for the child
- Parents’ history of substance abuse or violence
- Child’s preference
- Parents’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being
- Parents’ work schedules
Contact Evans Bulloch Parker PLLC
Smyrna is a wonderful place to raise children, whether you’re parenting together or apart. Families can enjoy nature at the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center, Sharp Springs Natural Area, or spend an afternoon at the Kidz Adventure Center. Maintaining stability for your family is what matters most.
When you need to hire a Smyrna child custody lawyer to establish a parenting plan, modify an existing plan, or for help enforcing an already established arrangement, you want a family law attorney with a history of successful negotiation and litigation cases. Contact Evans Bulloch Parker PLLC today to schedule your initial consultation.