The Waldrop Firm, P.C. | Germantown, TN Divorce Attorney

Call For Your Free, 30-Minute Initial Consultation 901-410-1118

Call For Your Free, 30-Minute Initial Consultation 901-410-1118

Working On Your Behalf Every Step Of The Way

Effective Guidance For Reaching Solutions Regarding Child Custody

 

Children often become the main concern when parents divorce. Each parent wants to protect his or her relationship with the child, yet also hopes to minimize the emotional and psychological toll that divorce or a custody dispute can have on a child. Both goals are achievable if the parents set reasonable expectations and approach the process with a focus on reaching solutions rather than “winning” a fight.

At The Waldrop Firm, P.C., in Germantown, we stand ready to protect our clients’ rights through litigation if necessary, but we strongly encourage them to resolve custody issues through negotiation or, if necessary, mediation involving a specially trained, neutral third party. By working together to develop a parenting plan outside of court, both parents ultimately retain more control over the outcome.

Our role includes helping you understand your options within the boundaries of Tennessee child custody laws, as well as providing a framework of an agreement that will serve as a starting point for development of a parenting plan. Call 901-410-1118 to see how we can help protect your rights as you set your parenting goals.

What Tennessee Courts Consider In Custody Cases

Tennessee courts must determine which parent will be the “primary residential parent.” The primary residential parent is the parent with whom the child spends the majority of time. The primary residential parent is the parent the school system will look to in order to determine eligibility to attend a certain school. Decision making such as a child’s education, health, religious training and other general welfare matters is often shared equally.

If parents cannot reach agreement on custody issues outside of litigation, the court considers a number of factors to determine what is in the child’s best interest. These factors include:

  • The strength, nature and stability of the child’s relationship with each parent, including whether a parent has taken greater responsibility for performing parenting responsibilities relating to the daily needs of the child
  • The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and the other parent
  • The ability of each parent to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care, education and other necessary care
  • The degree to which a parent has been the primary caregiver before the parents’ relationship ended
  • The emotional needs and development level of the child
  • The child’s interaction and interrelationships with siblings and with significant adults, as well as the child’s involvement with his or her physical surroundings, school or other significant activities (Taken from Tenn. Code § 36-6-106)

The Lawyer You Meet With Is The Lawyer You Work With

Attorney Waldrop handles every case himself. You are not handed off to a less experienced attorney. Mr. Waldrop listens carefully to his clients’ objectives, and works to put them in the best possible situation emotionally and financially. He welcomes the opportunity to help you resolve your child custody issues and other family law matters.

Call 901-410-1118 or use the contact form on this website to schedule a free 30-minute consultation in which we will answer your questions and recommend an effective course of action. We work with Tennessee family law clients in greater Memphis and throughout Shelby County.