Custody & Visitation In Tennessee

Technically, we no longer use the words custody or visitation in Tennessee. A few years back, the statutes were changed. Now, the words Primary Residential Parent and Parenting Time replace those words.

However, the words are interchangeable.

The Primary Residential Parent is the parent with whom the children live the majority of the time. Parenting Time is the time either parent spends with the child.

Permanent Parenting Plans are the parenting schedules attorneys prepare for their clients, setting out parenting time, holiday visitation, child support, and numerous other agreements that pertain to the children.

Custody can be the most expensive aspect of a divorce. Kids can be caught in the middle. For this reason, in Tennessee divorcing parents are required to attend a parenting class. This must be done before the divorce is finalized. There are several classes during the day and in the evenings. These classes occur in Nashville, Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Watertown, Hartsville, Lafayette, Carthage, and Gordonsville. There is no requirement for the parents to attend together. The classes last only a few hours, but during this time, they teach parents how to help their children through this difficult process.

I have many clients who don’t believe they need to fill out a detailed Parenting Plan. They are sure they will get along in the future and don’t need to determine the exact parameters of parenting time.

Be Proactive. Get a Parenting Plan.

My advice to my clients is to be as specific as possible in these plans now. Then, if you choose, put the Parenting Plan you both signed in a drawer and never look at it. So long as you and your spouse agree do as you wish when it comes to parenting your children. However, when there is a disagreement about whose holiday it is, you can pull out the Parenting Plan and abide by it.

You live and die by the terms of the agreements you sign. Be very careful before signing any Parenting Plan. These plans become Court Orders once the Judge finalizes your divorce. If you read the plan and get an awful feeling, do not sign it! Get advice from a local attorney who can tell you whether what you are agreeing to is fair.   If you have questions about divorce, custody, or parenting plans, please contact us.

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