Clarksville Child Custody Lawyer

Expert Guidance for Child Custody Matters in Tennessee

Whether you need to negotiate, mediate, or litigate a child custody case, you can depend on our family law firm. Backed by decades of experience, Mr. Pittman can help you determine child custody in a divorce and handle post-divorce modifications. Our Clarksville child custody attorney is prepared to work directly with you from start to finish of your custody and visitation case.

Comprehensive Support for Parenting Plans & Custody Litigation

At Patton | Pittman, our goal is to secure a fair custody and visitation settlement through mediation or some other amicable process, setting aside egos and resentments so as to build a parenting plan that works best for the child. But if that is simply not possible, then we are ready to litigate your case at trial. You can depend on our experienced family law litigation team to help you fight for your parental rights.

• In determining a custody and visitation court order, family courts generally factor in:
• The quality of the child’s relationships with each parent
• The child’s relationships with siblings and other relatives, as well as in the community and school
• Any history of domestic abuse or substance abuse
• The wishes of the child, particularly if 12 years old or more

Courts typically want to award joint custody so that the child benefits from having both parents in their life, and a court will also want to promote continuity in the kid’s life as much as possible. But each case is unique, and our Clarksville custody and visitation lawyers are ready to work one-on-one with you to ensure that we understand your family dynamic and your children’s needs. We are ready to work tirelessly to make sure that the court sees what is best for your children, and then makes that a reality.

Understanding Child Support Calculations in Tennessee

Judges consider the following factors when determining how much child support should be paid out:

• The child’s needs such as health insurance, education, day care, and other special needs
• The custodial parent’s income and needs
• Whether the paying parent has the ability to pay
• What the child's living standards were before the divorce

Divorced spouses are required show their full financial situation by providing various financial statements to the courts. Both parents must disclose their monthly income and expenses before a child support decision can be reached.

Courts will usually take the family’s standard of living prior to the divorce, into account as well. When possible, courts like to continue the family’s living standard for the child. However, maintaining this standard is only a goal, not an actual guarantee.

Key Factors Courts Consider in Child Custody Decisions

Courts must also determine the “best interests of the child” when deciding which spouse will be granted custody. The following are factors that will be considered in a child custody case:

• The child's age, sex, and overall health
• The parent's mental and physical health
• The parent's lifestyle and other social factors
• Whether there is any history of child abuse
• The emotional bond between the parent and child
• The parent's ability to give the child guidance
• The parent's ability to provide the child with food, shelter, clothing, and medical care
• The child's established living routine (school, home, community, religious institution)
• The quality of the child's education in their current situation
• Which parent the child prefers