If you recently lost a custody battle in Georgia, you may be wondering how you are going to have a normal relationship with your child. Perhaps you poured plenty of time and resources into the custody proceedings, and you are feeling frustrated that things didn’t turn out the way you expected. In this situation, it is important to understand that your parenting journey is not over.
You Still Have Visitation Rights
Even though your child may not live with you after your divorce or breakup, you still have the right to see them from time to time. These are called your “visitation rights.” If your ex tries to prevent you from contacting or seeing your child, they may face consequences. Speak with a lawyer or review the details of your custody order in more detail. It should contain information about when and how often you can see your child.
Depending on your situation, these visits may need to be supervised by your ex or another neutral party. Examples of these “visits” might include trips to the movie theater, walks, or meals at restaurants.
You Probably Still Have Legal Custody
Even if your ex “won” primary physical custody, they may not have sole legal custody. While physical custody determines where the child stays, legal custody represents your right to make important decisions about your child’s upbringing. These decisions might include healthcare, religion, and education.
If you believe that your ex is making major decisions about your child’s life without your input, check to see whether you have shared legal custody. If so, your ex may be infringing upon your parental rights. Depending on the situation, you could potentially force your ex to stop making these decisions without your input.
You May Be Able to Modify Your Custody Agreement in the Future
If you recently lost a custody battle, it makes sense to determine why you experienced this outcome. Did your ex successfully convince the court that you are unfit to act as a parent? Did your ex highlight the logistical benefits of keeping the child at their residence? Once you determine why the court made its decision, you can start attempting to address these issues as you approach a potential modification.
Once you address these issues, you can show the court that a “change of circumstance” has occurred. For example, you might successfully go through drug rehabilitation, thereby addressing concerns about your suitability as a parent. Perhaps you’ll find a new home closer to your ex’s residence, thereby making logistical hurdles less problematic. Speak with a lawyer for ideas on how to modify your custody in the future.
Can a Georgia Child Custody Lawyer Help Me?
If your ex now has sole legal custody over your child, you must adapt to the new reality and do your best with the hand the court dealt you. This may involve fighting for visitation rights, exercising your legal custody, and learning as much about your child’s life as possible. That being said, you may still have a chance to modify your Georgia child custody order in the future. Contact Lankford & Moore Law today to learn more about the next steps.
