Custody

Generally, the state of Georgia encourages a child to have continuing contact with both parents.¹ However, custody will be determined according to what the judge considers to be in the child’s best interest. The judge may consider any relevant factor including, but not limited to the following:

• love, affection, bonding, and emotional ties existing between the child and each parent, as well as his/her siblings, half siblings, and step-siblings;
• ability of each parent to give the child love, affection, and guidance and to continue raising and supporting the education of the child;
• each parent’s knowledge and familiarity of the child and the child’s needs;
• ability of each parent to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care, day-to-day needs, and other necessary basic care; although, the judge will also take into consideration the fact that the other parent might provide child support;
• home environment of each parent, focusing on if the environment will allow for the nurturing and safety of the child, rather than superficial or material factors;
• importance of continuity in the child’s life and the length of time the child has lived in a stable environment;
• stability of each parent’s family and community support systems;
• mental and physical health of each parent except that a parent cannot be denied custody just because s/he is legally blind;² Note: The judge has the power to order a psychological or medical evaluation of the family;³
• each parent’s involvement in the child’s educational, social, and extracurricular activities;
• each parent’s employment schedule, looking at how flexible the parent’s schedule is and what limitations exist, if any, to care for the child;
• home, school, and community records and history of the child, as well as any health or educational special needs of the child;
• each parent’s ability to manage parenting responsibilities, both past and future;
• each parent’s willingness and ability to encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship with the other parent if it is in the best interests of the child;
• any recommendation by a court-appointed custody evaluator or guardian ad litem;
• any evidence of family violence or sexual, mental, or physical child abuse, or criminal history of either parent; and
• any evidence of substance abuse by either parent.²

When evidence of family violence is found, the judge will also take into consideration:

• the safety and well-being of the child and of the parent who is the victim of family violence – this should be one of the judge’s main concerns; and
• the abuser’s history of violence or of causing reasonable fear of violence to another person.⁴

Note: For purposes of a custody decision, if a parent is absent or relocates because of domestic violence, this will not be considered child abandonment, assuming that the parent is away for what is considered to be a reasonable amount of time.⁵

¹ Ga. Code § 19-9-3(d)
² Ga. Code § 19-9-3(a)(3)
³ Ga. Code § 19-9-3(a)(7)
⁴ Ga. Code § 19-9-3(a)(4)
⁵ Ga. Code § 19-9-3(a)(4)(C)

Before the end of the custody hearing, either parent can request that the custody order outline the specific reasons why the judge came to the final custody decision and which factors were the determining factors. If joint legal custody is awarded, the judge will also address issues affecting the child’s education, health, extracurricular activities, religion, and any other important matters. The order will be filed within 30 days of the final hearing, unless that timeframe is extended by the judge upon the agreement of the parties.¹

¹ O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3(a)(8)