Post-Divorce Child Custody Issues
Abuse Allegations • Parent Relocation • Interference with Visitation
The law office of Margrett A. Skinner represents men or women in Bibb County and surrounding counties of Middle Georgia. Call me at (478) 742-7400 for a free initial phone consultation to discuss your unique situation.
I represent either party in modification hearings to modify physical custody or legal custody arrangements, or regarding moving out of state with the children. Whether you are seeking to modify custody, I offer strong advocacy for these emotional and bitterly contested proceedings.
Modification of Child Custody
You cannot go back and alter the terms of a divorce decree unless there has been a substantial change in circumstances. However, if you believe the behavior of the custodial parent is a danger to your child's welfare, you may have grounds to be awarded physical custody:
- Physical or sexual abuse of your child
- Substance abuse or other reckless behavior
- A live-in boyfriend/girlfriend who poses a threat to your child
- Repeated failure to comply with your court-ordered visitation
- A child age 14 or older wants to live with you
The county will investigate the home situation, and a guardian ad litem may be appointed to represent the legal interests of your child. I will help you present an argument before a family court judge to argue for or against the modification.
Parent Relocation
In general, the parent with primary custody is free to relocate, unless it would be clearly detrimental to the child's best interests. If relocating out of state or to another country, the non-custodial parent can file for a hearing to challenge the move. Even if the relocation is granted, the court may modify visitation — the whole summer and holidays, for example — to ensure the parent left behind has time with the child. The court may also order the custodial parent to pay 50 percent of travel costs, or meet the non-custodial parent halfway.
Child Custody Enforcement
Interfering with visitation is taken seriously by the courts. Failure of the non-custodial parent to pay child support is not grounds to keep your child from seeing their mom or dad. Refusal to allow visitation or continually returning the child late can lead to modification of child custody.
If you believe that the other parent is unfit, or you are in a dispute over relocation or visitation, contact me for aggressive representation of your rights. I offer a confidential consultation, and I personally handle your case.
