How is child custody determined in Georgia?
A child’s choice of custodial parent doesn’t control a Georgia court’s custody decision. Instead, a judge will weigh an older child’s preference along with several other factors to determine the custody arrangement best suited to the child’s needs.
Is Georgia a Mothers State?
Georgia family law is gender neutral, and courts are just as likely to award child custody to a father as to a mother, based on the facts of the case. At The Siemon Law Firm, our lawyers know what it takes to obtain primary residential child custody for mothers in contested divorce cases and child custody disputes.
What are child custody laws in Georgia?
Both parents have equal rights to custody of a child born during a marriage. What if the mother and father are separated and one wants sole custody? That parent must go to court and get legal custody. The court awards custody to the parent it decides can best raise the child.
How often does a father have to see his child?
Each family is unique and reasonable access for fathers depends on the individual circumstances. Some fathers see their children every day, while others might see them just once a month. Parents might share responsibilities and alternate weekend contact, or some fathers may have weekend contact every week.
What rights do I have as a father?
Based on this a married fathers rights over a child include the rights to make decisions concerning the legal matters, as well as educational, health and welfare and religious matters. A father’s rights over a child will also require him to provide food, clothes and shelter for his child.
What makes a parent unfit in Georgia?
In Georgia, an unfit parent is one who has been deemed incapable of caring for his or her child. Under Georgia law, a parent can give up parental custody rights voluntarily or can be deemed “unfit” and lose such rights by: abandoning a child.
How a mother can lose a custody battle in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, a parent can give up parental custody rights voluntarily or can be deemed “unfit” and lose such rights by: abandoning a child. cruelty or abusive treatment of the child, raising a child under immoral or obscene influences, or.
How old does a child have to be to decide who they want to live with in Georgia?
14 years old or older
According to GA Code ยง 19-9-3(5), children who are 14 years old or older may choose which parent they want to live with primarily. Once the child has made a decision, he will have to sign an Affidavit of Custody Election and submit it to the court.