| Title 19 in the Georgia Code contains information | | | | of custody and visitation (where the child is every |
| about domestic relations. In this section of law, | | | | day), a holiday schedule, a vacation schedule, and |
| the state has developed in-depth policy about | | | | a special event schedule. |
| how child custody situations are handled. The | | | | 2. Input from the child. In Section 3 of Article 1, |
| provisions found in Chapter 9 of Title 19 govern | | | | the law puts forth the age when children have a |
| how parents should create a parenting plan and | | | | say in their visitation schedule and custody |
| child custody schedule. If you live in Georgia, this | | | | arrangements. Children age 14 and over have a |
| information is vital if you want your custody and | | | | choice in the custody and visitation schedule. They |
| visitation schedule to be accepted by the court. | | | | get to pick which parent they will live with and |
| Here are a few of the important provisions that | | | | have a lot of control over the visitation schedule |
| affect the making of a parenting time schedule. | | | | and where they spend the holidays. The |
| 1. The requirement of a parenting plan. The | | | | preferences of children age 11 and over are heard |
| Georgia Code, in Chapter 9 Article 1, states "in all | | | | by the court and considered. Parents should |
| cases in which the custody of any child is at issue | | | | determine the best arrangements and schedules |
| between the parents, each parent shall prepare a | | | | for children younger than that. |
| parenting plan or the parties may jointly submit a | | | | 3. How the court accepts a plan. Chapter 9 Article |
| parenting plan." You must have a parenting plan | | | | 1 explains that if the parents are not able to work |
| that governs your child custody situation. Article 1 | | | | on a parenting plan and custody schedule and |
| also specifies what the plan must contain: when | | | | submit it together to the court, each parent must |
| the child will be in each parent's physical care, and | | | | prepare a proposed schedule and plan and submit |
| where the child will be every day of the year; a | | | | it. Georgia encourages parents to try and |
| holiday, vacation, school break, and special event | | | | cooperate because this generally leads to more |
| schedule and calendar; transportation | | | | successful plans and schedules. If that isn't a |
| arrangements; legal custody information; how the | | | | possibility, you must file an individual plan with the |
| parents will resolve disputes; if supervised | | | | court. You will have a chance to explain and |
| visitation is necessary; and if there are limitations | | | | defend your plan before the judge, and the judge |
| on the parents in getting access to records and | | | | will determine what the custody and visitation |
| information about the child. Thus, you can see | | | | schedule and plan will be. Once a schedule and plan |
| that you must have a thorough custody and | | | | have been accepted, they become legal |
| visitation schedule that includes a repeating cycle | | | | documents and you must follow them. |
