Child Custody

Nashville Child Custody Attorneys

Experienced Family Law Attorneys Assisting Clients with Child Custody Determinations, Legal Disputes, Visitation Rights, Post-Decree Modifications, and Other Family Law Issues

Even in child custody cases where you and the other parent are still on generally favorable speaking terms, it can be challenging to work out a comprehensive child custody arrangement that takes into account things like parenting responsibilities, visitation rights, medical care responsibilities, and the question of sole or joint custody. And in family law matters or divorce cases where the two parents cannot agree and are engaged in hostile or contentious negotiations, the process becomes much more challenging to resolve. Family law disputes can become very complicated and emotionally demanding, sometimes requiring judicial intervention to secure a successful resolution to the legal issues. Whether your Nashville family law case is cooperative or contentious, you would still strongly benefit from the professional legal representation of the right attorney for the job.

Our family law, child custody, and divorce attorneys practice law to help clients through nearly every aspect of their legal matters to improve their family’s future and defend their legal rights. We have extensive experience representing clients in Nashville divorce and child custody cases and other relevant practice areas. Additionally, our Tennessee law firm represents clients in other legal matters, including immigration and criminal law, making us uniquely qualified to represent your interests today and tomorrow.

As your Nashville child custody attorneys, we will provide diligent representation to help you achieve your goals in hopes of improving your life and your child’s life. We will explore all legal obligations and responsibilities for you and the other parent to ensure that the minor child has a safe and secure financial future. Our law office has a strong track record with sterling client reviews, and we proudly advocate for the Nashville community. To learn more about how our legal services can assist you in your complex child custody case, please get in touch with our Nashville child custody lawyers to schedule your initial consultation today.

What Are the Different Types of Child Custody in Nashville, TN?

Tennessee law recognizes multiple types of child custody arrangements intended to serve the best interests of young children after a divorce or separation.

Legal custody is the lawful authority to make important life decisions about the child’s upbringing, including medical care, religious teachings, education, and social activities.

Physical custody is where the child primarily resides and involves visitation rights and parenting time schedules for both parents. It will also determine who is to be the child’s primary caregiver.

Sole custody involves one parent having full legal and physical custody of their child. In contrast, the other parent has only limited or supervised visitation rights.

In joint custody cases, both parents share physical or legal custody, thus requiring open communication, ongoing cooperation, and careful decision-making regarding parenting time and the upbringing of the children.

What Relevant Factors Are Considered by the Courts in Custody Determinations?

Tennessee family law courts always prioritize the best interests of young children when making custody determinations. While the parents may have preferences regarding child custody arrangements, a family law judge will primarily focus on relevant factors impacting the child’s well-being, safety, stability, and future performance.

Among the many factors considered when the courts make a child custody determination are the following:

  • A parent’s ability to provide for their child’s needs, including their financial future, their emotional stability, housing, food, health care, and a satisfactory environment that is safe and secure
  • Courts will consider the benefits of continuing a positive parent-child relationship and would prefer not to disrupt such relationships if possible
  • If the child expresses a reasonable preference for one parent over the other, depending on the child’s maturity, the child’s preferences will be taken into account, but they are unlikely to be the sole determining factor
  • The courts want to see that the parents are willing and able to care for their child cooperatively and make critical parental decisions together. If one parent shows a reluctance to use co-parenting strategies, the courts may frown upon this
  • A history of physical or emotional abuse could disqualify a parent from receiving sole custody or being named the primary caregiver, and they could either have supervised visitation rights or no visitation rights at all
  • The physical and mental health of the parents will be evaluated to determine whether these factors impact their ability to properly care for their children
  • Work schedules and availability will be relevant to deciding parenting time and who is to be the primary caregiver. The parent with more flexible schedules may be awarded primary physical custody
  • A child’s stability must be considered. The requirement of a younger child to adapt or adjust to a new community, school, friends, and living environment can be challenging
  • Other relevant factors may include the emotional ties existing between the parent and child, older children who may not be subject to custody orders, existing alimony or child support orders, and more

How to Enforce Child Custody Orders in Tennessee?

If the other parent violates the established child custody agreement, you must document every infraction and keep detailed records. While communication with the other parent, sometimes in mediation, could potentially resolve minor issues, legal action may be required in other, more contentious cases.

Our Tennessee child custody lawyers can provide valuable legal assistance to help you through the necessary procedures in hopes of seeing your custody orders enforced. In some cases, this may involve filing a motion for contempt.

Is it Possible to Modify an Existing Child Custody Order?

It’s not uncommon for our circumstances in life to change, potentially for better or worse. When a parent sees a significant change in their life, they may seek to modify an existing child custody arrangement. Under Tennessee law, custody modifications will only be granted in instances of substantial changes in circumstances.

Examples of common reasons for seeking a child custody modification include the following:

  • A parent’s intention to relocate to a faraway city or another state
  • Significant changes in the child’s needs as they grow older
  • A dramatic change in a parent’s ability to provide adequate care, such as new health issues or losing employment
  • Convincing evidence that one parent is not following the custody arrangement as it has been spelled out
  • Accusations that the child’s other parent is unfit for their parental responsibilities due to substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, and other such interactions

Contact Our Middle Tennessee Law Office to Discuss Your Case with Our Compassionate Nashville Child Custody Lawyers Today

When contending with a child custody dispute, a high-conflict divorce, or seeking to collaborate on a co-parenting strategy, it is strongly recommended that parents seek individual legal counsel from experienced family law attorneys.

Community Law Group is committed to professional excellence in family law. At our firm, we fight for justice and are steadfast advocates for our clients, doing what they need from us to help them secure the most satisfactory outcomes possible.

To discuss your child custody case with our compassionate legal team, please contact our Nashville law office to schedule your no-obligation case evaluation today. You can reach us either through our website or by calling us at 615-616-6775.