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Preparing for a child custody hearing in Hamilton County can be emotionally and financially taxing, and going through the court system can be even more overwhelming. While parents generally wish to find a resolution outside of court to protect the child’s interests, time, and money, this is not always possible.
However, this is where an experienced child custody attorney can be of assistance. Our team can fight on your behalf and the behalf of your child and reach for a negotiated resolution.
The first step to take while preparing for a child custody hearing is to determine the extent that an agreement can be reached. Child custody cases are much simpler if the parents can create an agreement on their own rather than have the court provide orders. Once the parents reach an issue they cannot resolve on their own, they can begin gathering evidence with their respective attorneys.
Child custody decisions are based on presented evidence that is in the child’s best interest. The best way to be prepared for a child custody hearing is to have as much evidence as possible that shows the parent has their child’s best interests in mind. However, it is also vital to have an attorney who can present that evidence clearly and effectively.
Parents must also show proof that the child would be better adjusted in their care and that they are willing to cooperate with the other parent to reach a resolution. In cases where the other parent is not cooperative, the party and their attorney can also use that to show the child may be better adjusted in the cooperative parent’s home.
An even more crucial point of evidence to show, however, is that the parent has done all they can to avoid court by resolving disagreements. If a parent and their legal counsel can indicate that the other parent is taking actions for their own benefit rather than the child’s best interests, it may benefit them in court.
In Tennessee, each county has its own rules and regulations for child custody hearings. Preparing for a child custody hearing can be difficult if the individual does not know the county rules and how the county court operates.
Additionally, very few jurisdictions in Tennessee use a global structure of organization and procedure or differentiated case management. In a differentiated case management system, there is a standard rule for when things have to be filed, when they have to be responded to, when hearings get set, and how they get set.
This system is designed to move the case efficiently through the litigation process. In Hamilton County, some judges may follow these rules, while others may not. Having an attorney familiar with the courts can save a parent the time and stress of determining the system that their judge will use.
Going through the child custody process can be overwhelming for you and your child. However, having an experienced lawyer can take much of the weight off your shoulders as you prepare for your child custody hearing in Hamilton County.
A member of the team can investigate your case, analyze your evidence, and present your case to the court in a fight for a favorable outcome. If you are facing a custody battle with your child’s other parent, reach out to us right away to begin working on your case.