Child custody and parenting plans allow divorcing couples to determine how children will be cared for after they separate. This is a critical step in Georgia divorce cases and is essential to ensuring that the needs of children are met.
Court judges must intervene in cases where parents disagree on custody and other issues related to the care of their children. But there are many factors that affect child custody decisions.
The education level of parents is one aspect that many parents overlook. Knowing how this and other factors can impact your child custody case is the first step to achieving the outcome you want in your divorce.
Education and Child Custody Considerations
The process of establishing child custody agreements can be complex and challenging for parents. Parents, attorneys, and court judges must prioritize the best interests of children in divorce cases.
In addition to the needs of a child, court judges must also look at the parents’ ability to provide the resources that support the educational, health, and developmental needs of their children.
The education of the parents may also impact a child custody case. Education influences a parent’s employability and income, their ability to provide adequate care, and the educational performance of their children.
The education of parents of especially important in cases where a child may have special physical or mental needs.
Judges must look at the competency level of parents when deciding who will be the best choice for child custody.
With research supporting the view that a parent’s education and income affect a child’s wellbeing, it’s understandable that courts would consider this factor during the decision-making process.
How Courts Decide Child Custody
Family court judges must make child custody decisions based on a standard that guides the entire process.
Georgia family law courts consider the home environment of both parents. The right environment will contribute to the child’s development, health, and education. It’s also an indicator of the parent’s ability to care for the child.
Parents must be able to meet their own responsibilities in order to meet the responsibility of caring for children.
The emotional ties and relationships that parents have to their children are also considered as well as their familiarity with the child’s needs, interests, and preferences.
Parents must have the ability to be involved in activities related to schooling and any extra-curricular activities. Their own education will impact how well they can provide this support.
Other factors such as drug abuse, domestic violence, and neglect are also considered when making decisions related to child custody.
Securing Child Custody
Georgia parents must provide a parenting plan to family law courts to determine child custody. In cases where parents agree on child custody, joint parenting plans may be submitted to the courts.
In other cases, separate plans may be provided to the courts for consideration. Each parenting plan will outline the parent’s preference for how custody will be divided between the two parents.
Parenting plans include terms related to the parents’ ability to make important decisions that affect the child’s wellbeing. The courts must consider the information provided in order to determine the best interests of the child.
Court hearings may be used to give parents, family members, and other witnesses an opportunity to provide testimony to support each party’s case.
The education level of parents can impact child custody decisions made by the courts. Understanding how court judges determine child custody helps you provide the evidence that leads to a satisfactory outcome in your case.
Consulting with a family law attorney who understands child custody cases gives you the legal resources and tools you need to create a secure future for your child and your entire family.