Here are some state specific custody laws and guidelines for the state of Georgia.
1. Georgia law requires that parents submit a Georgia parenting plan to the court. This plan must include, but isn’t limited to, where the child spends every day of the year, information about transportation, the allocation of decision making authority, and the limitations for parents contacting the child when the child is with the other parent.
2. The best way to include information in the Georgia custody agreement about where the child spends every day of the year is to include a custody and visitation schedule. A Georgia custody schedule should include the every day residential cycle (the repeating cycle of custody and visitation), the holiday schedule, vacation time, and special events where the custody changes.
3. Information about transportation can include: the time of exchanges, where the parents will meet for exchanges, the transportation for exchanges, the costs of transportation, etc.
4. A Georgia visitation schedule must provide significant time with both parents. This means that both parents should have enough time with the children to develop a meaningful relationship with the child.
5. When the child is 14 and older, the child has a say in the parenting plan and custody schedule.
6. The parents can work together to have a plan accepted by the court. If the parents are not able to cooperate, the court will determine all custody arrangements.