The best Child Custody in Knoxville are attorneys who can help you navigate the legal process of determining a custody arrangement for your children. Under Tennessee law, all court orders for divorces, legal separations, or annulments that involve minor children must contain a parenting plan that establishes the authority and responsibility of both parents regarding the child or children involved in the case. A family lawyer can advise you on the types of custody available, including sole custody with decision-making authority granted to one parent and joint custody in which both parents share time with the child (or children).
In order for a judge to decide which arrangement is in a child’s best interests, they must take a number of factors into consideration. These include the wishes of the parents, any history of domestic violence, the ability to care for the child or children, the health and well-being of both parents, and other personal or social circumstances. Often, a child’s own desires will also be taken into account. For instance, a child may prefer to live with one parent over another, particularly if the child is over the age of 13.
If both parents can prove they are capable of caring for a child or children, a judge will likely award them joint legal and physical custody. In such cases, the court will create a permanent parenting plan, or PPP, which will outline the day-to-day responsibilities of each parent and when they will have access to the child. A lawyer can assist in drafting and reviewing a PPP to ensure that it is consistent with the law in Tennessee and reflects both parties’ goals for their child or children.
It is not uncommon for grandparents to be awarded visitation rights in a custody dispute. A lawyer can explain the different types of visitation arrangements that can be established, such as supervised visits, unsupervised visits, and grandparents’ rights to receive financial support. In some situations, grandparents can even be granted custody of a child.
Attorney John Sholly helps clients in the Knoxville area with a variety of child custody and visitation matters. He helps parents make their case for why they deserve to keep their children and works to make sure the child’s best interests are considered in all decisions. He also assists in enforcing and modifying child support obligations and handling contempt actions when necessary. He has been in practice since 2013 and offers client-focused representation. He primarily handles family-related legal claims, such as divorce and child custody. He also has experience with other areas of the law, including estate planning, paternity, and father’s rights, and personal injury.
