Clarksville Child Custody Attorney

Family lawyers Assisting Parents in Montgomery County and Surrounding Tennessee Counties

Child custody can be one of the most contentious aspects of a divorce. As a parent going through this legal process in Clarksville, you may feel that your relationship with your child(ren) could be threatened or compromised by a custody ruling. Your fears, anxiety, and the conflict between you and your spouse can profoundly affect the emotional stability of you and your children. If child custody is not able to be resolved in a collaborative or cooperative manner, even through mediation, it can lead to the need for litigation in a Tennessee courthouse.

At The Law Office of Taylor R. Dahl, our child custody lawyers try to help parents avoid the stress and strain of litigated custody battles by providing advice and an understanding of custody law and how Tennessee courts operate in this critical matter. 

Our Clarksville family lawyers work to help you negotiate a fair and just parenting plan that will work on behalf of both parents and remain true to the child’s best interests. Furthermore, we can counsel you through court-ordered mediation in working towards a child custody arrangement. 

Where that fails, however, our experienced custody lawyers will fight for your legal rights and best interests in court in Clarksville, TN.

Permanent Parenting Plans for Children in Tennessee

In the state of Tennessee, child custody and parenting plans are determined by the court based upon a list of factors affecting the child’s best interests. The TN court’s priority, however, is to serve the child(ren)’s best interests; this is generally considered by the courts as the child having a continuing and meaningful relationship with both parents.

The factors that influence child custody decisions are outlined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-6-106 and include:

• The strength, nature, and stability of the child's relationship with each parent
• Each parent's performance of parenting responsibilities, including the willingness and ability to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the child and both parents
• The attendance of parent education classes (where applicable)
• Each parent’s overall ability to provide for the child’s needs
• Whether either parent has taken greater responsibility for performing parental responsibilities
• The love, affection, and emotional ties existing between each parent and the child
• The child’s emotional needs and developmental level
• The physical and mental health of each parent
• The child’s relationship with any siblings or other relatives, as well as activities
• Continuity in the child’s life
• Any instances of abuse
• The impact of other persons in each parent’s home
• Each parent’s schedule
• The reasonable preference of the child (dependent upon age)

Depending on the details of your unique custody case, other factors may be considered in order to determine child custody.

Decision-Making Authority 

One or both parents will have the ability to make major life decisions on behalf of the child, such as those involving healthcare, schooling, religion, etc.

Residential Schedule 

A parenting plan will establish the child(ren)’s living situation. This may include deciding on details regarding primary residency, holiday schedules, and transportation.

Generally, courts in Clarksville, prefer to see parents come up with an agreed-upon parenting plan that meets the needs and interests of all parties involved. These parenting plans will lay out the details of overnights the child will spend in each household; how holidays, birthdays, vacations, and other special events will be handled; how children will be transported between households; provisions for resolving disputes; and plans for any other issues related to the sharing of the child.

 These plans may be temporary while the divorce is pending, and turned into final court orders when the divorce is resolved.

In cases where parents are unable to come up with a mutually acceptable custody plan through negotiation or mediation, it will be up to the courts to decide. Tennessee courts look at many factors in ruling on custody, including the type of relationship the child has with each parent; how custody will affect their schooling, social life, and more; parental work schedules; and other factors. Tennessee judges will weigh all factors related to custody in their determinations.

No matter where you are on the child custody issue — whether your divorce is pending or whether you need to enforce or modify current custody orders — you can turn to our capable legal team for competent guidance and representation.

Get the pragmatic and sound guidance you need from a Clarksville child custody lawyer at The Law Office of Taylor R. Dahl by contacting our team via online message or at (931) 773-7876.