Smyrna Child Custody Lawyer

When two parents decide to end their relationship—either through separation or divorce—nothing is more difficult than determining the custody of their children. Whether you have been married for a long time and have children in Pioneer Estates, or you are a young family living near Aberdeen Park, you need an accomplished and trustworthy Smyrna child custody lawyer who can protect both your parental rights and the best interests and safety of your child.

Why Work With Boss Law?

Since 2004, the team at Boss Law has been serving families across the state of Tennessee. As a graduate of both Middle Tennessee State University and the Nashville School of Law, our lead attorney understands the local legal landscape and has handled several cases in the Rutherford County courthouse located on West Lytle Street in the square in Murfreesboro. We can use this experience to benefit your case, no matter what your custody situation involves.

Both our lead attorney and our receptionist are fluent Spanish speakers and therefore, are here to serve individuals and families from all backgrounds. We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your loved ones, and we are here to let you know we’ve got your back. There is no child custody issue our team can’t tackle. At the end of the day, your parental rights and the rights of your children are our top priority.

Understanding Child Custody in Smyrna, TN

Tennessee sees an overall divorce rate of 2.9 per every 1,000 residents, and 9.1 divorces per every 1,000 female members of the state population. Additionally, 8 out of 10 children in the state live with their biological parents, and when these parents divorce, custody of these children must be legally arranged. In Tennessee, there are two main forms of custody that must be determined in a divorce or separation. These include:

• Legal custody. This form of custody refers to the parents’ rights to make certain decisions regarding the upbringing and welfare of their children. These decisions can revolve around the child’s schooling, healthcare, religion, and overall well-being. In cases where the parents are able to productively communicate, legal custody can be granted to both in a joint situation, or can be awarded solely to one parent over the other.
• Physical custody. This kind of custody refers to where the child will primarily reside. It can be awarded to one parent, in a sole custody arrangement, or in a joint physical custody arrangement, where the child will split their time between the two households. In most joint custody arrangements, one parent might be named the primary residential parent, and the other parent will get their own schedule for parenting time.

Both of these forms of custody can be awarded in a variety of different ways, depending on the nature of the parents’ relationship with one another and depending on the relationship they each share with their child. Your attorney is here to come alongside you during a difficult custody case and help provide insights on what kind of custody arrangement might work well for your family.

Factors Determining Child Custody

When parents are not able to come to their own agreement regarding the custody of their children, they will need the courts to make this decision for them. The family court judge assigned to your case in Rutherford County will look at the following factors in order to determine what kind of custody arrangement is in the best interest of your child:

• The relationship between parent and child. The courts will consider the relationships shared between the child and each of their parents, including which parent has historically been the primary caregiver, the emotional bonds the child shares with their parents, and the parents’ individual abilities to meet the needs of their child.
• The child’s preference. Based on the age and maturity level of the child, the court may take into consideration the child’s preferences when custody is being determined. While the wishes of the child won’t be the only determining factor, it can be taken into account, especially if the child is older and expresses a very clear desire.
• The parents’ ability to provide. The courts will also look at each parent’s ability to provide for the emotional, financial, and physical needs of their child. This can include their ability to provide food, healthcare, housing, clothing, and an overall safe home environment.
• Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse. If there is any kind of history of substance abuse or domestic violence on the part of either parent, this will have a huge impact on that parent’s ability to seek child custody. In some cases, this can lead to the loss of custody or visitation rights, or only allow visitations that are supervised by a third party.
• The work schedules of the parents. The courts will also take into consideration the amount of time each parent is able to spend with their child and what their work schedules look like. A parent who has the ability to remain flexible may be awarded higher amounts of physical custody, especially if the schedule of the other parent hurts their availability.
• The mental and physical health of each parent. Each parent’s physical and mental health will be reviewed by the courts and then considered when determining custody. This can especially be true in cases where questions regarding a parent’s mental health call attention to the safety of the child when placed in that parent’s care.

Hire a Child Custody Lawyer Serving Smyrna Residents

If you are facing a case of child custody in Smyrna, look no further than the team at Boss Law. When you hire a child custody lawyer from our team, you gain the confidence knowing that you have someone in your corner willing to go to bat for your rights and for the best interests of your children. Contact our offices today to learn more and to schedule your free consultation. Whatever your case entails, we are here for you.