If you’ve lost custody of your children, you may feel like there is little hope. However, there are ways you can prove to the courts that your children belong with you. While the process of regaining custody is not easy, working with an experienced Atlanta child custody lawyer can help you get through it.
We understand you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the legal process ahead. However, you do not have to face the courts alone. We understand that your children are your top priority, and we will work tirelessly to help you regain custody.
Why Custody is So Important
Child custody is one of a parent’s most important legal rights. It gives a parent the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of their child regarding their education, healthcare, religious upbringing, and other essential matters. Custody also allows a parent to have physical and legal control over their child, which can be crucial for their well-being and development.
For many parents, losing custody of their child can be devastating. It can negatively impact their relationship with their child and their future. Winning back custody can be a difficult and stressful process, but it is crucial for parents who want to maintain an active role in their child’s life.
Why Did You Lose Custody?
Georgia Code Title 19 addresses all the ways a parent may lose custody of their child. Some of those include:
- Drug or alcohol addiction
- Abuse
- Neglect
- Child abandonment
- Immoral or obscene influences
- Loss of contact with the child
According to Georgia family law, the courts may order that the parents be deprived of custody of the child in order to protect the child from harmful conditions.
To regain custody of your child, you must address why the courts decided to take away custody in the first place. Knowing why you lost custody is the key to gaining it back.
When a judge awards custody to someone else, they do so with the child’s best interests in mind. As a parent, it’s important to evaluate what may have caused you to lose custody. Have you violated a court order or been falsely accused of neglect or abuse? Put emotions aside and be honest about the circumstances surrounding your custody case.
In Georgia, judges consider several factors when determining what is best for the child. For instance, they may assess parenting skills, the parent’s health, cooperation between parents, and provision for any child’s special needs. By understanding the contributing factors to the judge’s decision in your case, you can begin to identify any modifications that need to be made to reverse it.
When working with an Atlanta child custody lawyer, consider discussing whether supports like parenting classes or addiction programs could benefit your case. If the courts placed any requirements on your ability to recover custody, you must take those steps before filing.
For example, the court may require you to attend drug or alcohol treatment or counseling. If you take those steps before filing for custody, your chances of regaining custody will increase.
Ultimately, the specifics of your case will determine the best course of action to take to regain custody of your child.
Request an Evaluation
If you’re working with a custody lawyer and have completed any required court steps, you may want to request an in-home child custody evaluation from the judge. This evaluation provides the court with an up-to-date assessment of your home and may help you regain custody of your child.
A psychologist typically conducts these evaluations. The evaluator will interview parents and children, observe the parent-child interaction, and assess the living situation, including other siblings and adults in the child’s life.
Your lawyer will guide and support you during the process of winning custody back. They’ll help you prepare for any evaluations and interviews and make sure you’ve addressed all the court’s concerns to improve your chances of regaining custody of your children.
Contact Our Atlanta Child Custody Attorneys
If you want to regain custody of your children, you need a law firm to fight for you. At Hobson & Hobson, P.C., we provide compassionate yet assertive legal guidance that addresses your concerns and helps you move toward a brighter future with your children. We know that this is a challenging time for you, but we want you to know that we are here to support you every step of the way.
To schedule a consultation and explore your legal options, please call us at (770) 284-6153 or fill out our confidential contact form. We are committed to helping you regain custody of your children and creating a positive future for your family.
Attorney Sarah Hobson at Hobson and Hobson, P.C. are powerful advocates for those who fight for better futures for those going through divorce and custody law matters.