When parents separate, each parent does everything they can to advocate for their children the best way they know how. By advocating for a child custody arrangement they prefer, each parent imagines they can better exercise their parental rights and be the guardian their child needs.
Unfortunately, when two parents have conflicting ideas of what is best for the children they share, disputes and disagreements are hard to avoid. For parents grappling with child custody battles, it can help to understand what Tennessee law says about parental rights.
1. Family courts prioritize the child
Family courts in the Volunteer State understand that children have nothing to do with their parents’ decision to divorce. Therefore, courts prioritize the children when deciding child custody arrangements. It doesn’t matter what either parent believes is best for the kids; what helps determine custody arrangements is:
- The relationship between the children and each parent
- Each parent’s demonstration that they’re willing to include the other parent in the children’s lives
- Each parent’s emotional, psychological and financial capacity to be a good guardian
The court’s priority is to help ensure the kids have a good quality of life.
2. Submitting a permanent parenting plan
The Volunteer State allows divorcing parents to submit a Permanent Parenting Plan (PPP) for court approval. This is an opportunity for the parents to demonstrate that they’re mature enough to collaborate for the well-being of the children. However, if the parents aren’t on the same page about what the kids need, the court will create a plan on their behalf.
3. Modification of custody orders
Once a court determines a custody order, parents should know the arrangement isn’t set in stone. When circumstances change, the Volunteer State allows parents to speak up about changes that would improve their kids’ quality of life. A concerned parent can petition for an adjustment of the custody arrangement if:
- One parent has to relocate far away from the other parent
- The child develops special needs due to illness or an accident
- The child experiences abuse or neglect by one parent
The family court can only approve modifications if there’s proof that they’ll improve the children’s quality of life.
Fighting over the custody of children can be an overwhelming and draining experience for divorcing parents. That’s why it’s a smart move to seek the support of a compassionate legal practitioner during a divorce. Legal intervention can help divorcing parents prioritize their children over their personal differences.