Hinesville Child Custody Attorneys

Liberty County & McIntosh County Child Custody & Parenting Plans

Child custody should be appropriate for your family’s needs, but creating a parent plan can be an overwhelming process. Contacting our experienced child custody attorney can help you come up with a plan that is best suited for your family. Balbo & Gregg, P.C. is here to protect you and your child’s the best interests.

Georgia has a unique set of child custody regulations when awarding child custody. It is important to understand the basics of Georgia child custody laws if you and your former partner are splitting. Georgia considers both parents equal when it comes to custody—however, the judge will always award according to the child’s best interests.

If you need assistance with child custody or parenting plans, contact our Hinesville child custody attorneys today for a free consultation:(866) 580-3089!

Joint & Sole Custody

The judge may opt to grant either sole custody or joint custody, depending on what the judge believes is in the best interest of the child. The judge will listen to the points made by both you and your former partner while also considering your child’s health, safety, and comfort. With sole custody, the judge may approve visitation rights for the noncustodial parent. The noncustodial parent cannot exercise legal authority on the child’s behalf. In joint custody, the parents may share in their child’s legal and physical custody, making decisions together about his or her education, medical care, and religious upbringing, while enjoying equal parenting time. Upon reaching the age of 14, your child may choose who to live with and may request a change in custody every 2 years. The judge may overrule this if it is not in the child’s best interests.

The Difference Between Legal & Physical Custody

Georgia courts recognize legal and physical custody. Legal custody is when parents have the right to make major decisions regarding the child. With joint legal custody, both parents have equal rights and responsibilities to make major decisions concerning the child. Physical custody refers to the parent that the child lives with. With joint physical custody, both parents share equal contact time with the child. The court may order joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or both.