If you have been served with child custody papers in Georgia, failing to respond to them can have serious consequences. The state of Georgia takes child custody cases very seriously. If you don’t respond to these papers, you could lose valued parenting rights.
Under Georgia law, if you do not respond to the custody papers, the other parent can file paperwork asking the court to enter a default judgment against you. This means the other parent may get everything they want, including custody, child support, and more.
If you do not respond to child custody papers, you may not get what you want and deserve. You’re essentially giving up your rights to have a say in the outcome of your case. In some cases, this could cause you to lose custody altogether.
For this reason, you must respond promptly to child custody papers. If you’re unsure how to respond, call our law firm immediately. We can help you explore your legal options and protect your parenting rights.
Consequences of Not Responding to Child Custody Papers
If you do not respond to child custody papers, you could face serious consequences, including a default judgment, monetary penalties, and loss of your parenting rights.
The court may issue a default judgment against you and then decide on custody, visitation, and child support without your input. They may even accept the other parent’s child custody plan.
When this occurs, you could lose custody of your child and visitation rights and be ordered to pay child support. Additionally, failing to respond can hurt your relationship with your child and make it difficult to obtain custody or visitation rights later in the future.
How Do I Respond to Child Custody Papers?
If you have been served with child custody papers in Georgia, you have several options for responding. Ignoring the papers can result in the other party obtaining everything they requested in the custody petition without your input. So it is best not to put off your response.
Here are some options for responding to child custody papers in Georgia.
Filing an Answer
One option for responding to child custody papers is filing an answer. An answer is a written response to the petition filed by the other party. In Georgia, you have 30 days from when you receive custody papers to file an answer. An answer must include a response to each allegation made in the petition. If you fail to respond to an allegation, it is considered an admission of that allegation.
Filing a Counterclaim
Another option for responding to child custody papers is filing a counterclaim. Your counterclaim can request a different type of custody, or you might seek to modify an existing custody arrangement. You must file this counterclaim within the same 30-day period.
Filing a Waiver
If you do not wish to contest the custody case, you can file a waiver. When you file a waiver, you essentially agree to the terms outlined in the petition.
How Can an Atlanta Child Custody Attorney Help?
If you are unsure how to respond to child custody papers, it is recommended that you seek the help of an experienced Atlanta child custody attorney. Your lawyer will help you understand your rights and obligations and assist you in filing an answer, counterclaim, or waiver.
Your child custody attorney will protect your child’s interests and ensure that their best interests are considered when custody decisions are being made. They’ll also work tirelessly to make sure your parenting rights are protected at every phase of the divorce process. With a lawyer on your side, you can rest easier knowing that all documents are filed correctly and on-time.
Remember, Georgia courts take child custody cases very seriously, and failure to respond can be seen as contempt of court. Without a lawyer on your side guiding you through this process, you might miss important deadlines and lose custody.
Contact Our Atlanta Child Custody Attorneys
At Hobson & Hobson, P.C., our Atlanta child custody attorneys can help you through the difficult custody process. We know how much your children matter to you. That’s why we work tirelessly to protect your parenting rights, so you can focus on what matters most – your children. We know divorce is hard. We make it easier.
Call us today at (770) 284-6153 or fill out our confidential contact form. We can set up a consultation so that you can review all your legal options.
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.
