Athens, GA Fathers’ Rights Lawyer

Call Us: 706-546-0999

Georgia law gives mothers and fathers equal standing in custody cases, and as an Athens fathers’ rights lawyer, Samuel E. Thomas helps dads protect that standing. Whether you are going through a divorce, were never married to your child’s mother, or need to change an existing order, Attorney Samuel E. Thomas helps fathers in Athens and throughout Northeast Georgia protect their relationship with their children.

Many fathers assume the courts favor mothers. Georgia law says otherwise: “There shall be no prima-facie right to the custody of the child in the father or mother.” Instead, the court decides custody based on the best interests of the child.

That means the outcome depends on the facts, including each parent’s involvement in the child’s life, stability, and home environment, and on how clearly you present those facts. Attorney Thomas works with you directly to prepare your case, from the first consultation through the final order.

How an Athens Fathers’ Rights Lawyer Can Help

Unmarried fathers must legitimate their child

If you were not married to your child’s mother, appearing on the birth certificate or paying child support does not by itself give you custody or visitation rights. Instead, a Georgia father generally needs to legitimate the child first. Learn more on our paternity and legitimation page. Georgia’s legitimation statutes are in Title 19, Chapter 7 of the Georgia Code.

Your child’s preference

A child who is 14 or older can choose which parent to live with. That choice is presumptive unless the court finds it is not in the child’s best interests. For children 11 through 13, the judge must consider the child’s wishes and educational needs, but the judge still makes the final decision.

Parenting plans

Georgia custody cases include a parenting plan. It sets out legal custody, the parenting-time schedule, holidays, and how parents will share decisions. As a result, a well-prepared plan protects your time with your children.

We represent fathers in:

Child custody

Georgia recognizes legal custody, which is the right to make major decisions about education, health care, and religious upbringing. It also recognizes physical custody, which is where the child lives. Either can be joint or sole, and the court decides based on the child’s best interests. See our child custody page for more.

Child support

Georgia’s guidelines combine both parents’ gross incomes and divide the obligation by each parent’s share. Then the amount is adjusted for parenting time. For this reason, parents with similar incomes may still owe support. You can enforce unpaid support through contempt.

Changing an existing order

If circumstances have changed since the court entered your order, you may be able to modify custody, parenting time, or child support.

Divorce issues

If your custody case is part of a divorce, Attorney Thomas also handles alimony and property and debt division.

Mediation

Many Georgia courts require mediation in divorce and custody cases. A neutral mediator helps the parents try to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, each parent can still have their own attorney.

Resolving issues by agreement often saves time and legal fees, and many cases settle. When they do not, Attorney Thomas is prepared to present your case in court.

To discuss your situation, call 706-546-0999, email customerservice@samuelthomaslaw.com, or book a consultation online.