As you probably already know, judges in Georgia take into account many factors when making decisions on child custody. Some of these factors may involve the finances of each parent. However, these factors are often quite misunderstood. Why does the financial situation of each parent even matter? After all, someone’s wealth has virtually no impact on their parenting abilities. Someone could be rich and still be a bad parent, or vice versa. Furthermore, why does the financial situation of a parent matter when they will be receiving child support? Doesn’t child support negate this entire debate?
All of these questions and many others can be easily answered by a qualified, experienced divorce attorney in Georgia. Our legal professionals can explain some of the most confusing aspects of custody battles, and we can also guide you toward a positive legal outcome. With the right legal strategy, you can maintain custody of your child regardless of your financial situation.
The Child’s Best Interests
The first thing that you need to consider is that a judge’s decision will always be based on the child’s best interests. Child custody is not about what benefits you the most, and judges will completely ignore your personal desires and concerns. It is all about the children, and judges consider whether various factors will have an impact on the quality of a child’s life when making their decision.
There are More Important Factors to Consider
Generally speaking, there are more important factors to consider when it comes to awarding custody. For example, a judge will care more about whether a parent is addicted to drugs or abusing their child rather than how much money they are earning. However, there are some situations in which a parent’s financial situation is difficult to ignore. For example, a parent who is jobless and homeless has virtually zero chance of winning custody, since they obviously do not have the ability to provide for their children.
It is important to understand that parental support and spousal support are taken into account when determining a parent’s finances. Even if a parent is jobless, they might be receiving considerable sums via parental and spousal support. The judge will then come to the conclusion that this parent is able to provide for the child, even though they are unemployed.
Income Has an Unspoken Effect
Many people forget that income also affects a parent’s ability to hire a qualified, experienced attorney. This can have an indirect effect on a parent’s ability to maintain custody, even though it is not something the judge will actually consider.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
If you have been searching the Georgia area for a qualified, experienced family law attorney, look no further than Lankford & Moore Law. We have considerable experience with a wide range of custody battles in Georgia, and we understand the various factors that might affect a judge’s final decision. Your financial situation is a factor that should not be ignored as you strive for custody of your children. However, there are many other factors that need to be considered. Reach out today, and we can discuss all of these factors during your consultation.
