If you are engaged in a child custody battle after a divorce in Georgia, it is incredibly important to understand your child’s best interests. With a sound understanding of these best interests, you will have a much better chance of a positive legal outcome. And as we all know, a positive outcome in this situation will result in you spending as much time with your children as possible after the divorce is finalized. For many parents, this is more important than property division, spousal support, and virtually every other legal aspect of a divorce.
If you would like to approach this situation in the most efficient way possible, your best bet is to get in touch with a family law attorney in Georgia as soon as possible. Our legal professionals have tackled numerous custody battles in the past, and we can help you strive for the custody outcome that is best for your family. Remember, it is always best to connect with an attorney as soon as possible, as this allows you to get started on an action plan quickly.
Why are the Child’s Best Interests So Important?
Your entire custody strategy must revolve around a child’s best interests. Nothing else matters in the context of this legal battle, and the judge will only consider how various outcomes will affect children. In other words, your own personal needs, wants, and priorities are completely irrelevant. If you want to win this battle, you will need to prove that your child’s best interests are better served if they live primarily with you. There are many relevant factors that are considered in these legal battles, but you should be aware of some of the most important ones.
The Physical Distance Between Parents
One of the most overlooked elements in a custody battle is the physical distance between parents. When parents divorce, one might want to move as far away as possible to “start fresh.” Although this is certainly understandable, it may affect their ability to spend time with their children following a divorce. A judge may decide that the physical distance between the two homes is too great, and that traveling between these homes would put too much stress on the child. In this situation, the parent who retains ownership of the original family home often receives primary physical custody.
The Ability of Parents to Cooperate and Communicate Effectively
Both parents also have to make the effort to communicate and cooperate effectively when it comes to child custody. Although these legal battles can be fierce, you actually lower your chances of a positive outcome when you act in a combative and stubborn manner. Try to act in a more cordial, professional fashion, and you will have a better chance of retaining custody.
Past Instances of Misconduct
Past instances of marital misconduct, such as substance abuse or domestic violence, may also have an impact on your child custody battle. If your former spouse is making these kinds of allegations against you, it’s important to prove that they are false in order to retain custody of your children.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you’ve been searching the Georgia area for a qualified, experienced family law attorney, look no further than Lankford & Moore Law. Over the years, we have helped numerous parents with custody battles. If you would like to learn more about how to create a custody agreement in your child’s best interests in Georgia, get in touch and book your consultation today. We will help you go over your legal options.