Franklin Child Custody Lawyers

The basic details that you should know about both types of custody include:

• Physical custody (residential schedule): Physical custody refers to where your child lives and how parenting time is allocated between parents. One parent may be designated as the primary residential parent, meaning the child resides with that parent for the majority of the time. The other parent typically receives scheduled parenting time. We help clients develop residential schedules that consider school calendars, work obligations, extracurricular activities, and the child’s overall stability.
• Legal custody (decision-making authority): Legal custody concerns the authority to make significant decisions regarding your child’s upbringing, such as those related to education, healthcare, and religious matters. Legal decision-making responsibilities may be shared or allocated between parents depending on the circumstances. We can craft an arrangement that reflects your involvement and your child’s best interests.

Sole Custody vs. Joint Custody in Tennessee

Custody arrangements may also be categorized as:

• Joint custody: Joint custody generally involves shared decision-making responsibilities and meaningful parenting time for both parents. Tennessee courts often favor arrangements that allow children to maintain strong relationships with both parents, provided the environment is safe and cooperative. Joint custody does not necessarily mean equal time, either, but it typically reflects shared involvement in major decisions.
• Sole custody: Sole custody may be appropriate when one parent is better positioned to provide stability or when cooperation between parents is not feasible. In such cases, one parent may have primary authority over decision-making and residential time.

Our role is to help you evaluate which structure best supports your child’s well-being and to present a plan that reflects those considerations.

Determining Factors for Child Custody

Tennessee courts base custody determinations on the best interests of the child. Judges consider multiple statutory factors to assess what arrangement will most effectively promote stability and development.

The most common factors to consider in a child custody case are:

• The strength of the child’s relationship with each parent
• Each parent’s ability to provide a safe and stable home
• The child’s need for continuity in education and community
• Each parent’s physical and mental health
• Willingness to encourage a positive relationship with the other parent
• Evidence of domestic violence or substance abuse
• The child’s preference, depending on age and maturity

No single factor automatically determines the outcome. Courts examine the totality of the circumstances. We can help you gather documentation, organize evidence, and present your involvement in your child’s life clearly and effectively.

Unfit Parents & Child Custody

In some custody cases, allegations arise that a parent is unfit. A finding of parental unfitness is serious and typically involves conduct that places the child’s safety or well-being at risk.

Examples that may lead to concerns about unfitness include:

• Ongoing substance abuse
• Physical or emotional abuse
• Severe neglect
• Abandonment
• Criminal behavior impacting the child

If you believe your child’s safety is at immediate risk, call the authorities immediately. If you think that your child’s well-being is at risk but they are not in immediate danger, you may want to speak with our attorneys first. Conversely, if you are facing allegations of unfitness, you can talk to us about what to do in response.

We approach these cases with care, focusing on credible documentation. The court’s primary concern will always be the child’s safety and stability, and our representation reflects that priority.

Let Us Help You & Your Child – Call Now

Our Franklin child custody attorneys are committed to prioritizing your child’s best interests while protecting your parental rights. Whether your case involves mediation or litigation, we are prepared to provide the guidance and representation you need to see your case through to the end. Together, let’s work toward a stable and caring future for your child.

Dial (704) 286-0570 at any time to request your first case review with our family law firm in Franklin, TN.