Battles over child custody affect families all across Tennessee, and it's not just parents who get involved in the legal aspects of a dispute.
Of course, the kids who are put in the middle of these fights also experience the impact of the legal process, but still there are other people with something on the line when it comes to matters related to child custody and visitation.
For example, the following parties can wind up in mediation or courtrooms fighting over the legal and physical custody rights of a child.
- The child's grandparents
- Step-parents
- Prospective adoptive parents
- Men wrongly named as a child's father
- Minor children seeking emancipation
- Guardians
- Concerned relatives
Each of these parties can be confronted with or worried about matters related to a child's well-being. In some cases, the way to resolve concerns is to speak directly with the parents. In other cases, however, filing a legal complaint becomes necessary in order to bring the matter to the court's attention.
Considering the fact that a child's well-being and a person's ability to provide care for a child could be on the line, we want to encourage the parties we listed above who have something to protect and/or lose in a custody battle to know their legal options. Not everyone can take legal action seeking or challenging custody, but it can be important to know what you can do to protect yourself and the children who are involved.
To discuss your situation with an experienced attorney at our firm and to learn more about our background, please visit our website.