Franklin Parenting Plan Lawyer

Parenting Plan Attorney in Franklin, TN

The decision to file for divorce is one fraught with concerns about the future. If you are a parent, your children’s well-being is foremost on your mind. Tennessee family courts require a parenting plan as part of the divorce agreement when there are minor children involved. A qualified Franklin parenting plan lawyer can help you create a fair, conscientious parenting plan. Their work can ensure your children’s safety and security when facing a divorce.

At Story & Abernathy, PLLP, we understand your worries. Our skilled legal team has the experience and compassion to provide skilled representation for your case. We can minimize the emotional impact a dissolution of marriage can bring to children and their parents.

What Is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a collaborative document between both parties in a divorce. It clearly details guidelines and expectations for child custody and visitation. It can also outline financial matters, such as who will provide child support payments and health insurance for the minor children involved. Once a judge approves a parenting plan, it becomes legally binding, which is why it’s important to partner with a family law attorney to craft and mediate your parenting plan.

Without mediation, disputes over custody, visitation, and child support can create undue stress and conflict between parties. Your children’s well-being and safety are at the center of your divorce. They are your priority, and Tennessee law upholds this by requiring a parenting plan. We can provide knowledgeable counsel and assistance with this necessary step.

How a Parenting Plan Attorney Can Help

Tennessee has the 10th-highest divorce rate in the nation, with approximately 3.5% of divorces occurring in Franklin County. Many of these divorces involve children, whose welfare must be of paramount concern. While divorce is never easy, children benefit the most when their parents can reach an amicable agreement over their care.

Parenting plan laws can feel overwhelming, but these laws exist to make sure your children are not subjected to unsafe custody situations or financial abandonment. Story & Abernathy, PLLP, is well-acquainted with Franklin County and Williamson County custody and parenting plan laws. Our team can facilitate the process of creating and mediating your parenting plan agreement.

What’s Included in a Parenting Plan?

While each parenting plan agreement is tailored to address the interests of the children impacted by a divorce, these components are always part of a Tennessee parenting plan:

• Residential time, designating which parent the child/children will spend most of their time with and which parent has secondary residential status
• Day-to-day schedules, specifying which days of the week and which times each parent will be responsible for the care of the children
• Holiday schedules, school-free days, and vacations, designating where the children will spend their leisure time
• Transportation requirements for the children
• How parents provide dental and health insurance, along with medical care
• Rules about supervised visitation (when applicable)
• Child support and federal income tax exemptions
• Dispute resolution to address any disagreements that may arise regarding the parenting plan
• Parent education class requirement, which helps parents mitigate the impact of divorce on children, along with encouraging effective co-parenting strategies to minimize conflict

We Help Parents Protect Their Children

From the moment your children were born, they became your whole world. While divorce is emotionally taxing for all involved, taking legal steps to secure a parenting plan will protect the best interests of your children, who matter more than any other factor in your divorce. Hiring an ethical, conscientious attorney who knows the laws concerning child custody in Franklin County is a vital part of your divorce process.

We know you have questions about how to approach your parenting plan case. Story & Abernathy, PLLP, holds a certification in Rule 31 mediation, which reduces the need for litigation at the Franklin County Circuit Court, saving you and your children the stress and financial strain of a lengthy custody battle.

FAQs About Franklin, TN Parenting Plan Laws

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Parenting Plan Lawyer in Tennessee?

The cost to hire a parenting plan lawyer in Tennessee varies by the case and the attorney’s experience. Most attorneys charge a retainer, which is calculated using their average hourly rate and the expected duration of the case. At Story & Abernathy, PLLP, we are client-focused, meaning we tailor our approach to your specific needs. During your consultation, we’ll discuss our fees and the anticipated cost of your case.

What Can Create Issues During a Custody Battle?

Either party’s conduct can create issues during a custody battle. These issues can include:

• Negative speech about the opposing party
• Contentious communication with your spouse
• Domestic violence
• The use of illegal substances
• Alcohol misuse

These can not only impact custody decisions but also endanger the mental and physical well-being of your child.

Ethics matter. You and your Franklin parenting plan attorney should always have the best interests of your children at heart.

What Is the Parenting Plan Law in Tennessee?

The Tennessee Parenting Plan Law states that members of a divorcing family must work together to determine how to meet the needs of the new family structure. This law empowers the courts to address child custody concerns and ensure the best interests of children during a divorce or separation. Your children are the most important consideration in your case. The law exists to protect their well-being.

What Is the New Child Custody Law in Tennessee?

The new laws in Tennessee concerning custody and parenting plans require that both parties must have equal participation in the process of crafting the parenting plan. This plan must include a structured and detailed visitation and custody schedule, which clarifies how and when both parents will share time with their children. An experienced family and custody law attorney can explain the new law to you and answer all your questions about parenting plan creation and mediation.

Your Trusted Advocate for Child Custody and Parenting Plan Mediation

At Story & Abernathy, PLLP, we understand the emotional and financial strain a divorce can cause. We can address all your questions and concerns with compassion. Schedule a consultation to discuss your family law case today.