Full question:
I live in Georgia. My husband and I had filed for divorce. We have a 3-year-old daughter. I want to prepare a parenting plan. What are the requirements needed, while preparing the parenting plan in Georgia?
- Category: Divorce
- Subcategory: Child Custody
- Date:
- State: Georgia
Answer:
In Georgia, a parenting plan is required for permanent custody and modification actions. The plan must be in the best interests of the child. When custody is an issue, each parent should prepare a parenting plan, or they may submit one jointly. It's important to consider that a child's needs evolve as they grow, and the parent with physical custody will make day-to-day and emergency decisions while the child is with them.
According to O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1, a parenting plan must include:
- A commitment to maintaining a close and ongoing parent-child relationship, which is in the child's best interest.
- A recognition that the child's needs will change and that parents will strive to minimize future modifications to the plan.
- That the parent with physical custody will handle day-to-day decisions regarding the child.
- Access for both parents to the child's records and information, including education, health, and extracurricular activities.
Additionally, unless otherwise ordered by the court, the plan should specify:
- Where and when the child will be with each parent throughout the year.
- How holidays, birthdays, vacations, and special occasions will be shared, including specific times.
- Transportation arrangements for exchanges between parents, including costs and locations.
- If supervision is needed during parenting time, details about the supervision.
- Decision-making authority regarding the child's education, health, and religious upbringing, including how to resolve disagreements.
- Any limitations on contact by the non-custodial parent while the child is with the custodial parent.
If the parents cannot agree on a permanent parenting plan, each must file and serve a proposed plan by the court's deadline. Failure to do so may result in the court adopting the opposing party's plan if it serves the child's best interests.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.