As many people in Clarksville will agree, drafting a parenting plan after divorce or separation is one of the most important tasks for any couple because this plan will directly impact the health and well-being of a child. The best interests of the child must be the primary consideration of any custody and visitation plan drafted by parents and reviewed by the court.
Recently, the upper chamber of the Tennessee Senate approved a bill that is likely to bring about some significant changes in the state laws that govern how courts decide child custody and the rights of a non-custodial parent after divorce. The Tennessee Bar Association provided input for the bill, which attempts to set right several ambiguities that were present in previous measures.
According to reports, the wording of the bill is lengthy and goes into detail about issues that typically arise over child custody. For instance, a custodial parent will not be permitted to be in the room when a child is talking on the phone with his or her non-custodial parent. Moreover, once passed, the bill would make it illegal for a parent to make derogatory statements about the other parent.
The Tennessee House Civil Justice Committee approved a companion bill awhile ago and is awaiting a final House vote. State lawmakers are taking both measures seriously in order to ensure that child custody disputes are controlled and that the best interests of the child are always protected.
In spite of these statutes, child custody disputes will continue to arise because every case is unique. Consulting a lawyer may be a wise decision for a parent embroiled in a child custody dispute. Enlisting the help of a knowledgeable attorney can help efforts to resolve the dispute calmly and without detrimental impact on the child and, at the same time, ensuring that a parent fully protects his or her rights.
Source: Middle Tennessee Public Radio, “Child Custody Proposal: No Eavesdropping and No Badmouthing Your Ex.,” Mike Osborne, Feb. 25, 2014
