Whether handling an amicable parenting plan or an emotionally charged child custody dispute, the family law attorneys at Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor provides all of our clients with caring and supportive legal advocacy.

Child Custody Overview

Child custody refers to the legal guardianship involved in a divorce case. In Georgia, there are two forms of custody; legal and physical.

Legal custody refers to the child's life decisions. Religious, medical, and educational decisions are made by the legal custodian(s). Legal custody can be granted to one parent, or decisions split between both parents.

Physical custody refers to where the child resides. One parent may have sole physical custody, with the other receiving scheduled visitation rights. Or, both parents may share physical custody, which means the child lives with each parent a portion of the time.

The Best Interests of the Child

When deciding issues regarding child custody, courts in Georgia will consider the best interests of the child and the environment that will provide the most stability. The courts consider many factors, including:

• Suitability of each parent as custodian
• Psychological, emotional and developmental needs of the child
• Ability of the parents to communicate
• Prior and continuing care that the parents have given the child
• Wishes of the child
• Safety of the child
• Custodial agreements of the parents
• History of domestic abuse

Child Custody Disputes

At Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor, our lawyers zealously represent the best interests of mothers, fathers, grandparents and other interested parties in custody controversies without putting children in the middle of the dispute. We are committed to providing the most effective level of service to each of our valued clients in a caring and compassionate manner. We handle child custody issues including:

• Legal custody, physical custody, temporary custody and visitation
• Child support, child support enforcement and child support modification
• Guardian ad litem services regarding child custody and modification
• Grandparent custody, grandparent visitation and grandparents' rights
• Interstate jurisdictional issues under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).
• Adoption

Firm founder Mary Stearns-Montgomery has served as guardian ad litem in Georgia and has extensive experience representing the best interests of children in family law matters.

Speak With a Caring Child Custody Attorney

Understand your options with an initial consultation. Please call Stearns-Montgomery & Proctor today at (678) 905-8492 or fill out our simple contact form to set up an appointment or to get additional information. Our office hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with evening appointments available by request. We accept all major credit cards.

With two strategically located offices in Atlanta and Marietta, we act as advocates for families throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, including clients in Atlanta, Marietta, Alpharetta, Buckhead, Canton, Dallas, Decatur, Douglasville, Duluth, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Smyrna.

Learn More About Child Custody in Georgia

Child Custody FAQ