Will My Mental Health Issues Stop Me From Getting Custody in Georgia?

We live in an era in which many people are struggling with mental health issues. Widespread initiatives are helping to make mental health a greater focus for our healthcare system, and those suffering from mental health issues are encouraged to come forward and get the help they need. While mental health was previously stigmatized, patients today are more likely to be treated with respect. With all that said, your mental health issues can have an impact on your divorce, particularly when it comes to child custody. 

If you are wondering whether your mental health issues will stop you from retaining custody of your child, you should get in touch with one of our experienced family law attorneys in Georgia as soon as possible. Although judges do consider these kinds of issues when making decisions about custody, you can present yourself in the best possible light with the help of a skilled attorney. 

Mental Health is One of the Factors that Judges Consider in Georgia

Judges consider many factors when determining child custody. One of these factors is the mental health of each parent. While there’s no getting around this fact, it’s important to understand that a judge’s final decision is always based on the child’s best interests. Because of this, mental health issues have a much stronger chance of negatively affecting your custody battle if they put the child at risk in some way. A parent suffering from depression or PTSD will still have a strong chance of retaining custody if their mental illness has not affected the child in any way. 

For example, you might succeed in putting on a brave face and remaining optimistic in front of your child, even though you’re struggling “behind closed doors.” On the other hand, mental health patients will have a much tougher time retaining custody if it has affected the child negatively in the past. For example, someone struggling with substance abuse issues might have left the child unattended while they drink heavily or engage in drug use. 

Getting Treatment is Important

In Georgia, judges are more likely to look favorably on parents who have received treatment for their mental health issues. Not only is getting treatment a good idea in a general sense, but it also increases your chances of spending more time with your child after the divorce. Getting treatment shows that you are taking your issues seriously. If you have a documented mental health disorder and you have been refusing to seek treatment, you are much less likely to achieve a favorable result when it comes to the final custody decision. 

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you have been searching Georgia for an experienced divorce attorney, look no further than Lankford & Moore Law. We understand how mental health issues can impact child custody cases, and we can help you pursue a positive legal outcome. These issues are more common than ever in the modern era, and you should not face unnecessary consequences for something you cannot control. Reach out today, and we can develop an effective action plan together.

If you are wondering whether your mental health issues will stop you from retaining custody of your child, you should get in touch with one of our experienced family law attorneys in Georgia as soon as possible. Although judges do consider these kinds of issues when making decisions about custody, you can present yourself in the best possible light with the help of a skilled attorney. 

Mental Health is One of the Factors that Judges Consider in Georgia

Judges consider many factors when determining child custody. One of these factors is the mental health of each parent. While there’s no getting around this fact, it’s important to understand that a judge’s final decision is always based on the child’s best interests. Because of this, mental health issues have a much stronger chance of negatively affecting your custody battle if they put the child at risk in some way. A parent suffering from depression or PTSD will still have a strong chance of retaining custody if their mental illness has not affected the child in any way. 

For example, you might succeed in putting on a brave face and remaining optimistic in front of your child, even though you’re struggling “behind closed doors.” On the other hand, mental health patients will have a much tougher time retaining custody if it has affected the child negatively in the past. For example, someone struggling with substance abuse issues might have left the child unattended while they drink heavily or engage in drug use. 

Getting Treatment is Important

In Georgia, judges are more likely to look favorably on parents who have received treatment for their mental health issues. Not only is getting treatment a good idea in a general sense, but it also increases your chances of spending more time with your child after the divorce. Getting treatment shows that you are taking your issues seriously. If you have a documented mental health disorder and you have been refusing to seek treatment, you are much less likely to achieve a favorable result when it comes to the final custody decision. 

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today


If you have been searching Georgia for an experienced divorce attorney, look no further than Lankford & Moore Law. We understand how mental health issues can impact child custody cases, and we can help you pursue a positive legal outcome. These issues are more common than ever in the modern era, and you should not face unnecessary consequences for something you cannot control. Reach out today, and we can develop an effective action plan together.

I realized the true function of a lawyer was to unite parties riven asunder. The lesson was so indelibly burnt into me that a large part of my time during the twenty years of my practice as a lawyer was occupied in bringing about private compromises of hundreds of cases. I lost nothing thereby — not even money, certainly not my soul.

Mahatma Gandhi

Lankford & Moore Law in Downtown Lawrenceville

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