Knoxville, Tennessee: Child Custody Lawyer
If you say yes to any of the following questions, advice from an experienced child custody lawyer can provide clarity about the proceedings and likely outcome of the dispute.
- Are you considering divorce and worried about who will get custody of your children?
- Is your ex-spouse threatening to take away custody of your children?
- Are you an unmarried parent with questions about your child custody rights?
- Do you have questions about your rights with regard to a proceeding to terminate parental rights due to charges of child abuse or dependent neglect?
Attorney James R. LaFevor: An Experienced Knoxville Family Law Attorney
For more than three decades, attorney James R. LaFevor has practiced family law in Knoxville, Tennessee. Our law firm represents clients in family courts throughout middle and eastern Tennessee in a wide range of family law matters, including those relating to child custody.
Throughout the course of his legal practice, Mr. LaFevor has built a strong reputation as an ethical attorney who provides professional legal representation to clients in difficult legal situations.
Basic Information About Child Custody in Divorce Proceedings
Under Tennessee law, all parents who file for divorce are required to attend a mediation session to make a parenting plan. The goal of the mediation session is to help parents reach a negotiated agreement about all the details of child custody and visitation schedules. Parents who divorce are also required to attend a parenting educational seminar.
If parents cannot agree about child custody and a visitation schedule, then eventually a family court judge will make those decisions for them. The judge will not automatically grant custody to one parent or the other. Instead, the judge will base the decision on several factors, all of which are geared towards making a child custody decision in the best interests of the child.
Basic Information About Child Custody for Unmarried Parents
Unmarried parents have the same legal rights and obligations as married parents have. The child's mother is presumed to have custody of the child. However, the child's father may apply to the court for a change in the custody arrangements in cases where the father thinks he is the better parent or where the mother is suspected of child abuse or dependent neglect. In such cases, the first legal step for a father who wants to take custody of his children is a paternity action (initiated by filing a Complaint to Establish Parentage).
Contact the Law Office of James R. LaFevor ∙ Free Consultation
We offer free, no-pressure initial consultations to all potential new clients. In a 30-minute meeting, we can provide you with basic legal information and describe how we may be able to help you resolve your child custody questions.
We understand the challenges faced by people in the military and their family members. Mr. LaFevor served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971. He was stationed in both Germany and Vietnam, and was ranger qualified and airborne qualified.
To make an appointment, call toll free 866-752-2921 or send us an e-mail.
