Georgia Child Custody Lawyer
Child custody disputes are not just legal battles, they shape your child’s future and well-being. These cases require more than legal knowledge; they demand compassion, strategy, and a deep commitment to securing the best outcome for your family.
At Meriwether & Tharp, we go beyond legal representation, we advocate for your child’s best interests. Our team is dedicated to turning conflict into clear, fair solutions, helping families move forward with confidence.
Why Families Trust Us
Comprehensive Legal Expertise
- Tailored Custody Plans- We craft customized custody arrangements that address both physical and legal custody to fit your family's unique needs. Seamless
- Legal Support - From initial agreements to modifications, we handle all court documents with precision and care.
- Parental Rights Advocacy - We protect your ability to make crucial decisions regarding your child's education, healthcare, and upbringing.
Child-Centered Approach
Georgia courts prioritize the best interests of the child, considering factors like family stability and parental cooperation. We build strong, well-documented cases that highlight your commitment to your child's well-being, demonstrating your ability to provide a stable and nurturing environment.
Support at Every Step
- Co-Parenting Guidance - Navigate communication and shared parenting with confidence.
- Courtroom & Negotiation Preparation - Be fully prepared for hearings, mediation, or settlement discussions.
- Solutions for Life's Changes - Assistance with relocation, holiday schedules, and summer parenting plans.
Let Meriwether & Tharp be your trusted ally in securing a custody arrangement that supports your child's happiness and stability.
We are Your Source for Child Custody
With a huge library of resources that covers every aspect of child custody from start to finish...
Download our Custody Guide Major Catagories of Child Custody Decisions
While most people usually refer to child custody generally as if it was only one thing, the law looks at child custody in a much more nuanced and detailed way. From a high-end point of view, the court divides custody into two independent items:
Physical Custody
How time is divided with a child
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The general pattern for who has time with a child.
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Summer Visitation
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Holiday Visitation
Legal Custody
Who has final say-so regarding decision related to a child
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Health Care
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Education
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Extracurricular Activities
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Religion
Primary Custody
Primary Custody refers to who has the child the majority of the time. It can range for fifty-one percent to nearly one hundred percent of parenting time with a child.
Joint Custody
“Joint physical custody means that physical custody is shared by the parents in such a way as to assure the child of substantially equal time and contact with both...
Split Custody
Split custody is the situation where “there are two or more children of the same parents, where one parent is the custodial parent for at least one child of the parents and...
Sole Custody
Sole custody refers to a custody arrangement where one parent has been “awarded permanent custody of a child by a court order.” O.C.G.A. § 19-9-6(11). The term sole...
Determining Custody
If the parties can not agree, the court looks to the best interest of the child to determine custody. What is in the best interest of the child, however, is often hotly debated. In these cases, Georgia law provides a list of specific factors that a judge must consider when determining what will best promote the child's welfare and happiness.
Parenting Plans
A parenting plan is a document that defines all child custody matters. Specifically, it is filed with the court and explains the parties' agreement (or the court's order) regarding visitation, legal decision making, transportation and many other topics related to the parties' children. Because it is what guides the parties on all post-divorce related matters related to their children, we consider it to be the most important child custody document in Georgia...