how to modify custody in tennessee without a lawyer

by Kelley Powlowski 8 min read

There are two basic options for changing child custody: 1) return to court on a petition to modify custody or 2) attend mediation.

Procedure for modifying a custody order
The parents may submit a modification agreement in the form of a new parenting plan to the court for ratification and approval. If the parents cannot reach an approvable agreement, they can participate in mediation.

Full Answer

What happens in a child custody case in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, a custodial parent is designated as a “primary residential parent” as a result of having more parenting time with the child than the other parent. The standard for an initial determination for the primary residential parent designation is the “best interests of the child,” and the court has a list of ten custody factors to consider. In the modification of primary residential …

What is a reasonable preference in Tennessee child custody cases?

Changing custody and modifying your parenting plan after a Tennessee divorce. Changing or modifying your parenting plan or otherwise changing custody in Tennessee after a divorce requires asking the Court for a modification. In order to qualify for a modification of custody, the parent seeking the change must prove a change of circumstances which materially alters the …

Do I need a lawyer to modify a child custody order?

Under Tennessee statute, the court shall consider the reasonable preference of the child over the age of 12. The court may choose to hear the preference of a child under the age of 12. The preference of the child is one factor that the court will consider in …

What is the difference between physical and legal custody in Tennessee?

Child custody is defined as the guardianship over a child, which covers both physical custody and legal custody. In a child custody dispute the court may award joint custody to both parents or sole custody to a single parent. Child custody cases in Tennessee can be either contested and resolved by court order, or noncontested and defined in a ...

Can you modify a parenting plan without going to court Tennessee?

Changing or modifying your parenting plan or otherwise changing custody in Tennessee after a divorce requires asking the Court for a modification. In order to qualify for a modification of custody, the parent seeking the change must prove a change of circumstances which materially alters the child's well-being.

How do I file for custody in Tennessee without a lawyer?

Filing for Child Custody in Tennessee: 5 StepsStep 1: Determine your court. Either you or the other parent must have lived in Tennessee for at least six months before you can begin a case. ... Step 2: Complete your paperwork. ... Step 3: Finalize your forms. ... Step 4: Hand in your paperwork. ... Step 5: Service.

What is considered an unfit parent in Tennessee?

Tennessee Code on Parental Restrictions, Unfit Parents The parent has engaged in willful abandonment that continues for an extended period of time. Physical or sexual abuse or a pattern of emotional abuse of the parent, child, or of another person in the home has occurred.Jul 9, 2020

When can a child decide which parent to live with in Tennessee?

12When can my child decide which parent to live with? Under Tennessee statute, the court shall consider the reasonable preference of the child over the age of 12. The court may choose to hear the preference of a child under the age of 12.

How long does a father have to be absent to lose his rights in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, a court may terminate parental rights based on abandonment if there is clear and convincing evidence that a parent willfully failed to support the child, willfully failed to make reasonable or consistent support payments, or willfully failed to visit the child for a period of four consecutive months.Feb 5, 2021

At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in Tennessee?

12 years oldIn Tennessee, the child must be at least 12 years old. That would be the legal age at which the child could express a preference of a parent to live with over the other. Children should never be pressured to take sides or choose the more loved (or permissive) parent instead of the other parent (or disciplinarian).

How a mother can lose a custody battle?

A mother who is proven to have physically and or psychologically abused her children is highly likely to lose custody of her children. Examples of physical abuse include hitting, kicking, scratching, biting, burning, physical torture, sexual abuse, or any other type of injury inflicted on the child by the mother.

What is malicious parent syndrome?

"Malicious parent syndrome" is when one parent seeks to punish the other parent by talking poorly about them and/or doing things to place the parent in a bad light, particularly in the eyes of their children.Aug 17, 2020

What is parental kidnapping in Tennessee?

As defined by § 39-13-302, a person commits the offense of false imprisonment when one knowingly removes or confines another unlawfully so as to interfere substantially with the other's liberty. Kidnapping is a Class C felony, and false imprisonment is charged as a Class A misdemeanor.Aug 17, 2017

Can a mother move a child away from the father in Tennessee?

A custodial parent is free to move without court approval if it's less than 50 miles from the other parent's residence. If a parent wants to move further, or out-of-state, the law requires the parent to provide written notice to the court and the nonmoving parent, and the notice must meet specific requirements.

Is Tennessee a mother or father state?

Is Tennessee a mother or father state? Neither. Some fathers' rights activists may say it is a mother state because Tennessee does not have an equal parenting time presumption.

What are a fathers rights in Tennessee?

Father's Rights in Tennessee When it comes to Nashville Family Law, fathers have the same right to participate in the lives of their children as mothers regardless of whether or not the parties were married when their child was born.

Why are parenting plans important?

Parenting plans and other child custody orders are intended to be permanent and to provide the subject child with stability and predictability. However even the best plans may not be able to account for every situation that can arise and sometimes modification may be necessary.

What happens if there is a material change in circumstances?

If it is proven that there has been a material change in circumstances, the court must find that a modification of the parenting plan or other child custody order will serve the best interests of the child.

What happens if you have custody of a child?

If the current custody order puts the child at risk, such as if one parent has abused the child or has engaged in substance abuse while having custody of the child, the court may provide temporary injunction or other special relief without requiring mediation.

What is an ex parte order?

An ex parte order is a temporary order that is granted without notice of hearing to the other side. These orders are unusual and only issued in certain circumstances. An ex parte order is only issued for a certain period of time. For example, if one parent alleges physical abuse, the court may grant an ex parte order.

Can you file a petition for child support?

No, child support is a completely different and independent issue from the right of visitation. If a parent refuses to pay child support, the other parent should file a Petition for Contempt. Related Article: Options If Denied Parenting Time Over Owed Child Support.

What is the purpose of the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act?

The purpose of PKPA was to prioritize jurisdictional grounds to prevent states from fighting over jurisdiction over child custody issues. Related Article: 13 Ways To Prevent Parental Kidnapping.

Can a court appoint a Guardian Ad Litem?

Either party may request a Guardian ad Litem be appointed by the court. In some cases, the court will appoint a Guardian ad Litem without a request from either party. Related Article: Using A Guardian Ad Litem In A Custody Case.

What are the rights of a child in custody?

What is Considered in the Case of Custody? 1 The right to phone conversations with the child at least twice a week at reasonable times and durations 2 The right to send mail to the child that the other parent cannot open or impede in any way 3 The right to receive relevant information as soon as practicable but within 24 hours of any event of hospitalization, major illness or death of the child 4 The right to receive the child's school records, names of teachers, class schedules, standardized test scores, and any other records made available to parents 5 the right to receive copies of the child's medical, health or other treatment records, unless otherwise argued by court 6 The right to be free of unwarranted derogatory remarks from any party involved

What is child custody in Tennessee?

Child custody is defined as the guardianship over a child, which covers both physical custody and legal custody. In a child custody dispute the court may award joint custody to both parents or sole custody to a single parent. Child custody cases in Tennessee can be either contested and resolved by court order, or noncontested ...

What happens after a divorce in Tennessee?

After a breakup or divorce in Tennessee, couples with children must come to a child custody agreement that describes which parent the children will live with, how visitation will be scheduled, and how the non-custodial parent will pay child support .

What happens if a parent disputes custody in Tennessee?

If child custody is disputed, however, they will have to receive a child custody order from a Tennessee judge, who will attempt to make a custody decision that is in the "best interests of the child".

What is a guardian ad litem?

Appointment of guardian ad litem. (a) In an action for dissolution of marriage involving minor children, upon its own motion or upon the motion of either party, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for any minor child of the marriage.

How old do you have to be to get custody of a child?

The reasonable preference of the child, if 12 years of age or older. The party who is granted custody of the child will be allowed to enforce the provisions of the court's declarations concerning the support of the child.

Is joint custody in the best interest of a minor child?

Unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, there is a presumption that joint custody is in the best interest of a minor child where the parents have agreed to joint custody or so agree in open court at a hearing for the purpose of determining the custody of the minor child. For the purpose of assisting the court in ...

How to modify a custody order?

In order to modify a child custody or visitation order, you will need to file a petition with the appropriate court. Keep in mind that some courts refer to this as a motion instead of a petition. The petition will generally need to include the following information: 1 Both parents’ names and addresses; 2 A copy of the existing custody or visitation order; 3 The reason you are seeking modification; and 4 Proposed modification terms.

Can a custody order be modified?

Death or incarceration of the custodial parent. Essentially, child custody or visitation orders can be modified if the previous order no longer works and cannot be carried out by the parties involved. Courts will allow modification of a child custody or visitation order in certain situations. For example, you cannot modify your child visitation ...

Can you modify a visitation order?

Courts will allow modification of a child custody or visitation order in certain situations. For example, you cannot modify your child visitation order because your current partner wants you to spend time with them instead.

Is there a fee for filing a petition?

There may be a fee associated with the filing, the amount of which will vary. Some courts also have form petitions or may require certain forms to be attached to the petition, so you need to become aware of these requirements.

How to get custody of a child in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, custody can be summarized by these three possible arrangements: 1 Joint Custody (children live with both parents and often parents retain joint legal custody); 2 Split Custody, (where there is more than one child, the children are split between the parents) and; 3 Sole Custody (one parent takes legal and physical custody of the child).

What is legal custody in New Jersey?

The child lives with that person. Legal custody is the right to make decisions for the child such as authorizing minor surgery or signing release forms for a school trip. Both types of custody can be shared between ...

Can a judge modify a custody order?

Unfortunately, that would be well within their legal rights. If the terms of the initial child custody order are not legally modified by a judge, you have no grounds to en force the new agreement.

What happens when you modify custody agreement?

When you modify your custody agreement through the court system, you ensure that your rights can be enforced. First you file a petition citing that a significant change in circumstances has taken place. Examples of “significant changes in circumstances” include:

How to transfer custody of a child?

It's not easy to think about, but circumstances may arise when you need to ask someone to care for your children when life gets complicated. Whether you're thinking about giving custodial authority to a family member or custody to the other legal parent, you must follow the law. If you already have a custody order from the courts, the only ways you can transfer custody are to either: 1 put an agreement in writing with the other parent, or 2 ask the court to modify your custody order.

What happens if you share custody of a child with another parent?

If you share custody with the child's other parent, you must have permission before you change the custody arrangement. If the other parent disagrees, you'll need to file a formal request (motion) with the court to change the order.

Can a parent give custody of a child to a third party?

Child custody is a serious matter that only parents and the courts can decide. Parents can't allocate custody to a third party without court involvement. However, parents can delegate legal authority to a family member or friend, with the intent that the person will have physical custody and care of the child.

What to do if you are paying child support?

If you're a parent currently paying support and you've agreed to become the child's primary caregiver, the first step is for you to forward your agreements to the court that handled your divorce or original custody case.