Child Custody in a Divorce

Children are the most affected in a divorce. They suddenly find themselves separated from one of their parents and many a times require psychological counseling. Divorces involving children are cumbersome and have to be dealt very carefully since apart from adults there are minors involved whose lives have to be protected and future made secure. Divorce cases with children have more issues like, child custody, child support, visitation rights, visitation routines etc. Divorce lawyers have to work through all this and reach decisions that would be in the best interest of child.

In the state of Georgia, child support is calculated from income of both parents. A percentage of their adjusted incomes are used to come up with an amount payable by each of them using the Child Support Worksheet. Previously, only non custodial parent was required to pay child support, but changes in guidelines state that even custodial parent need to shell out money for supporting their child if he or she has an income.

Child custody is a much contested area in divorces involving children. Children are naturally attached to their primary care giver, who has been taking care of them and their needs (food, clothes, education, etc) and thus most of the time younger children are handed over to their primary care giver for custody. Age of the child is given lots of importance and a child of 11 years old can express his preference but this has to be accepted and deemed correct by judge. Children of 14 and above can choose who to live with and this wish is usually honored unless judge feels it would cause harm to child.

Custody in Georgia can be physical, legal and sole. Sole custody deems that child stays with one of the parents and has full rights to make decisions regarding the child and non custodial parent only has visitation rights. Legal custody and physical custody can be awarded together or alone. Legal custody gives parents right to make combined decisions with regard to their child and physical custody gives both of them the rights to spend time with child as well as be in contact and communication with him.

Many couples decide on child support and visitation routines prior to court hearings. This is convenient since they can keep the child’s as well as their interests in mind and come to mutual agreements regarding the issue. Reaching an agreement without having to drag the child to court would be better for everyone involved and most importantly the child in question. The visitation rights enjoyed by non custodial parent can be planned out in such a manner that it is convenient to oblige them. These are all long term plans and hence comfort and convenience along with welfare of child should be supreme considerations.