Knoxville Child Custody Lawyer

Child Visitation Attorneys in Knoxville, TN

Determining child custody can be one of the most heartbreaking aspects of a divorce. In many cases, parents have different ideas when it comes to how and where their child should be raised. Coming to an agreement can be difficult. Many different factors go into determining custody and visitation arrangements, and each decision is based on the unique circumstances for each family. Understanding the basics of child custody and visitation while working with an experienced family law attorney who will keep you informed are some of the best steps you can take during divorce proceedings.

At Peterson White LLP, we are passionate about advocating for our clients’ needs during tumultuous times. Our lawyers are equipped to handle a wide variety of situations and offer compassionate representation both in and out of court. We can help your family navigate this challenging time.

Defining Variations In Child Custody

Determining child custody isn’t easy and may be contested between parties. Both parents often want their child to live with them and may have religious or educational expectations that their ex-spouse disagrees with. The four basic types of custody in Tennessee include:

• Physical custody: The legal right for a parent to have a child live with them
• Legal custody: The legal right for a parent to make decisions about the child’s education and upbringing
• Sole custody: When a single parent has custody of a child
• Joint custody: When both parents legally share custody of their child

How Is Child Custody Decided?

There are many ways that custody arrangements can work. They often depend on a variety of factors including the stability and location of the parents, the ability of each parent to financially support each child, and more. The most important factor is what is in the child’s best interest. Ultimately, child custody is based on creating the best environment for the child.

Jodi Loden, our primary family law attorney, is experienced in juvenile law, parental rights and many other aspects of divorce law. She is passionate about assisting families and kids throughout one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Is Joint Custody Right for Me?

Joint custody is a popular option these days, but it might not necessarily work well for everyone. The court makes custody decisions based on the best interests of a child, so if one parent has a history of documented domestic abuse, for example, then it is highly unlikely that the court will think joint custody is a wise decision.

Sometimes, joint custody may not be suitable simply due to the living or working situation of one spouse. A typical example involves parents who are active in the military. As they may be deployed anywhere with very little warning and don’t have much stability in their home lives because of that, a court may view this situation as too hectic for a child and decide to award sole custody to the parent that is not active military.

Let’s Discuss Your Options

When what matters most is at stake, call Peterson White LLP. You can reach our Tennessee office at 855-919-4124 or send us an email to get started today.