Tennessee Child Custody Lawyer
Child Custody
Child custody disputes can be among the most contentious issues to arise in a divorce and can affect many aspects of the proceedings, such as payment of child support, alimony, and the division of property. In order to ensure that you obtain the most favorable custody arrangement, you will want to hire an attorney to who is experienced in handling these complex and emotional cases. The Knoxville child custody lawyers at Baker Associates, serving Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and all of Tennessee, are skilled in handling even the most complex child custody cases. Our Sevierville child custody attorneys can provide the compassionate and aggressive representation you need to resolve your dispute successfully.
- Child Custody Arrangements
- Some Determining Factors in Child Custody Awards
- Child Support
- Modification of Orders
Child Custody Arrangements
Though primary custody of a child can be awarded to a single parent, more and more often, Tennessee courts are favoring joint or shared custody. Despite this, it is still common for a child to live with one parent with the other parent having specific visitation arrangements.
Some Determining Factors in Child Custody AwardsÂ
The primary factor the court will consider when awarding custody is whether an arrangement will ultimately serve the best interests of the child and ensure his or her health, safety, and welfare. Some additional factors the court may consider include:
- The mental and physical health of the parents
- The physical and emotional needs of the child
- Evidence of physical or emotional abuse
- Each parent's ability to provide the child with food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and education
- The strength and stability of the relationship between the child and each parent
- The child's wishes (if 12 years of age or older)
- The character and behavior of friends and associates of each parent who lives in or near the parent's home and the relationship
Child Support
Often just as contentious as the question of who ultimately gets custody of the children in a divorce is the matter of payment of child support. The determination of child support is based on a complex equation introduced in Tennessee statute. This equation takes into consideration spouses' incomes, the number of dependent children, childcare expenses, residence, and any special needs of the child or children. In most cases, child support is paid through the child's eighteenth birthday.
Modification of Orders
In addition to the initial child support and custody agreements, the child custody lawyers assist clients with any modifications that need to be made. Â When circumstances such as remarriage, a move from the area, or a new job affect a parent's lifestyle and income, new child custody and support arrangements may need to be made.
Contact Our Child Custody Attorneys
If you are facing a possible child custody dispute, the attorneys at Baker Associates in Knoxville and Sevierville, Tennessee can help. Our Tennessee family law lawyers have extensive experience handling these complex cases, and we are committed to protecting your rights and helping you obtain a favorable custody arrangement. Contact Baker Associates in Knoxville and Sevierville to schedule a consultation with our aggressive, compassionate child custody attorneys.
Contact the Knoxville child custody attorneys at our firm serving Sevierville and all of Tennessee to schedule a consultation. Our lawyers will fight for your rights and the custody arrangement you deserve.
To view this, you need to install the Flash Player 9. Please go to here and download it.
Knox County
2126 First Tennessee Plaza
800 South Gay Street
Knoxville, Tennessee 37929
Phone: 865-521-0001
Sevier County
121 Court Avenue
Sevierville, Tennessee 37862
Phone: 865-428-2888
Washington County
300 East Main Street
Johnson City, Tennessee 37601
