Child custody is one of the most fiercely litigated issues in a Tennessee divorce. However, aggressive litigation is not always the best way for spouses to settle their differences. At Grant & Sain, PLLC, we understand the urgency of protecting your parental rights and safeguarding your child’s health and welfare. We are fathers, committed to doing everything possible for our own children. We know that contentious court proceedings can be distressing to children who already may find themselves caught between two parents whom they love equally. Fortunately, child custody law in Tennessee has gone through many changes in recent years to bring greater fairness to the process of deciding custody matters. This makes it possible to craft practical parenting plans through negotiation and mediation that protect your rights, advance your child’s best interests, and win court approval.
Tennessee child custody law has gone through many changes since 2001, making many common terms and practices obsolete. Today, there are two basic types of parental rights:
Our family law attorneys help you negotiate a practical, manageable parenting plan that fits your lifestyle and your child’s needs.
There are times when it is perfectly appropriate to fight aggressively for full custody of your child. These include situations where:
Custody litigation can be stressful for your children, especially if they are required to undergo psychological evaluations and/or make court appearances. You can rest assured our divorce lawyers have ample experience managing this type of litigation. We strive to deliver the aggressive representation you need while minimizing the negative impact on your children.
Parents who were never married often have to settle custody issues through a paternity action. Either the mother or the father can ask the court to settle a paternity question, usually through a DNA test. If a man is determined to be the father of a child, he is responsible for child support, which can be imposed retroactively to the time of the child’s birth. However, a father also has custody rights he can enforce against the mother by asking the court to establish a parenting time schedule. Paternity actions can also be necessary when a mother wants to terminate a father’s parental rights so she can place a child for adoption.
Grant & Sain, PLLC wants to be your local law firm in West Tennessee. In child custody matters, we serve our clients professionally, capably and personally. To schedule a consultation with one of our partner attorneys, call 731-256-7477 or contact our Jackson office online.