Custody is often a point of contention between divorcing parents in Georgia. Both parents probably want to spend as much time with the kids as possible, and if the parents aren’t willing to work together, the whole process could become very complicated and negative.
Typically, the Georgia family courts want divorcing parents to come to custody hearings with a parenting plan already established. That means that the courts want you to sit down and settle the major issues on your own. Having a parenting time schedule and rules already in place means the courts simply have to review and approve the terms you set.
If you aren’t capable of doing that with your ex, you can each present your own preferred outcomes and the courts will set those important child custody terms for you. Understanding what guides their decisions in custody proceedings will give you a better idea about the likely outcome in your case.
The judge’s focus will always be on the kids need, not what the parents want
Divorce can be a bit of an ego trap, as the couple going through the divorce can become so focused on themselves that they fail to see how their behavior impacts the people they love, including the children that they share. Becoming embittered over custody proceedings won’t benefit your children, and it certainly will not make it easier for you to share parental responsibilities with your ex after the divorce.
Realistically, the best strategy to optimize the custody proceedings is to focus on what the kids need, since that will be what the courts do. The judge must always consider the best interests of the children in every aspect of the custody proceedings. They will want the parents to work together and keep the focus on what is best for the kids, not what makes them feel vindicated or successful in the divorce.
If you use that same principle as your guide, the way that you approach custody and the creation of a parenting plan may better align with the expectations of the courts. The right approach can make it clear that you are willing to do the difficult parenting work that often occurs after a divorce and that you really want to focus on what will be best for your kids.