TN Custody Laws|Turner Law Offices, P.C.Breaking up is hard to do! It is even harder when children are involved. Determining which parent should be awarded custody of children is never easy. Child custody in Tennessee is awarded based on sixteen (16) statutory criteria. The parents can agree which home is best for a child’s well-being. If the parents cannot agree, the judge will determine custody. TN custody laws. Tennessee child custody laws are not easy for lay people to understand. An experienced child custody attorney can reduce the stress and explain the law to you in a manner that you can understand.
Basically, the term “child custody” or “custody” were abolished in Tennessee. We continue to use these terms because non-lawyers can somewhat understand what happens to children when using these terms. The proper terms are “Primary Residential Parent (PRP)” and “Alternate Residential Parent (ARP)”. The PRP is the parent where the child resides most of the time, i.e. 183 days per year or more. The ARP is the parent who “visits” with the child on certain days at certain times. One parent must be designated the PRP, or custodial parent, legally. The PRP is legally responsible for the child at all times except for the times the ARP is with the child. During the time the ARP is with the child, the ARP is legally responsible for the child. There are very specific TN custody laws that outline how the Permanent Parenting Plan (PPP) must be written and what must be covered in the PPP. Agreeing upon a Permanent Parenting Plan is not always possible. Tennessee child custody attorneys are necessary, especially in the following circumstances:
Ideally, parents should be able to work together to formulate a Permanent Parenting Plan in the best interest of the minor child, but that is not possible for all parents in a bad break-up. A Tennessee child custody lawyer will protect your interests and that of your child, and will use his knowledge, training and experience to fashion a Permanent Parenting Plan that works.
What is the best way to find a custody lawyer?
Unless you and the other parent are able to sit down and amicably put together a parenting schedule for your child, you will definitely go through some rough months. At Turner Law Offices, P.C., our child custody attorneys are friendly and approachable, and will ease the frustration in dealing with the other parent. We have over 20 years experience handling over 15,000 matters for our clients; take the time to meet with one of our custody attorneys who you will trust and believe has your best interest at heart. Request a Free Initial Consultation Online or call our office to schedule your in-person meeting with one of our child custody attorneys.
