Helping Parents Protect What Matters Most
Few parts of a family law case feel more personal than child custody. You may be worried about how much time you will have with your children, whether important decisions will still be shared, or what happens if the other parent wants an arrangement that does not work for your family.
At Petrelli Previtera, LLC, our Marietta child custody lawyers help parents turn those concerns into a workable plan. We represent clients in Cobb County and throughout metro Atlanta in custody matters arising from divorce, modifications of existing orders, relocation disputes, and other parenting issues.
Our goal is to help you understand what matters, make thoughtful decisions, and build a custody strategy around your relationship with your children and the realities of your family’s daily life.
How Our Marietta Custody Lawyers Help
We start by understanding your family. A custody case is not just about asking for a particular schedule. We want to understand how parenting has actually worked in your home, what the children’s routines look like, where conflict exists, and what you believe needs to change.
We help you build the facts that support your position. Custody decisions often turn on details. Calendars, communications, school involvement, medical appointments, and the history of each parent’s involvement can all help show what arrangement will work best for the children.
We look for solutions without giving away what matters. When parents can reach a workable agreement through negotiation or mediation, they often retain more control over the result and reduce some of the conflict their children experience. When litigation is necessary, we prepare accordingly.
We plan beyond the next court date. A custody order may govern your family for years. We help build parenting plans designed to be durable, practical, and flexible enough to anticipate the issues that commonly arise as children and family circumstances change.
Building a Parenting Plan That Works in Real Life
Georgia custody cases involving children generally require a parenting plan, but the value of that plan goes well beyond satisfying a court requirement. It becomes the framework parents rely on after the case is over.
For one family, the biggest issue may be creating a consistent school-week schedule. For another, it may be deciding how holidays are divided when extended family lives out of state. Parents with demanding work schedules may need detailed exchange arrangements, while parents who disagree about education or medical care may need clearer rules for decision-making.
We help clients think through these practical questions before an agreement is signed. The goal is a plan that gives children stability, protects meaningful relationships with their parents, and reduces unnecessary opportunities for future conflict.
When Parents Cannot Agree on Custody
Not every custody matter can be resolved by agreement. Sometimes parents have very different ideas about what is best for the children. In other cases, concerns about instability, substance use, family violence, a proposed move, or a parent’s ability to provide consistent care make litigation necessary.
Georgia courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child. There is no automatic preference for a mother or father. Instead, the court looks at the circumstances of the particular family and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs.
When a judge may ultimately decide the issue, preparation matters. We help clients identify the evidence that supports their parenting role, understand the other parent’s likely arguments, and present a clear picture of the arrangement they believe is best for their children.
Support After a Custody Order Is in Place
We work to create parenting agreements that are durable and flexible, but families continue to change. Once your custody order is in place, our team can continue to support your family when an order that once worked no longer fits your child’s needs or your family’s schedule, or when you are considering relocating with the children.
Learn more about modifying family law orders in Georgia.
Emergency Custody and Serious Parenting Concerns
Some custody problems cannot wait for the normal court schedule. If a child may be in immediate danger, emergency court intervention may be available.
These cases move quickly, and the information presented at the beginning can matter significantly. Our attorneys help parents evaluate whether the situation supports emergency relief, organize the available evidence, and determine the appropriate next step.
Child Custody Matters We Handle in Marietta
Our Marietta child custody lawyers assist with custody and parenting issues arising during divorce, parenting plans, modifications, relocation, emergency and temporary custody, grandparent and caregiver claims, enforcement of existing orders, and related family law disputes.
Child Custody FAQs for Marietta Parents
Does Georgia favor mothers in child custody cases?
No. Georgia courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child rather than automatically favoring a mother or father. The facts of each parent’s relationship with the child and ability to provide care are more important than gender.
What is the difference between joint custody and 50/50 parenting time?
Joint legal custody generally refers to parents sharing responsibility for major decisions. It does not necessarily mean the child spends equal time with both parents. The parenting schedule is addressed separately based on what works for the child and family.
Can my child’s preference affect custody?
Yes. Georgia law allows a child’s preference to be considered, with additional weight given to the preference of older children. A child’s wishes are important, but the court still evaluates the overall best interests of the child.
Can custody be changed after the divorce?
Possibly. Custody can be modified when circumstances have changed in a way that affects the child and the legal requirements for modification are met.
What if the other parent wants to move with our child?
A proposed relocation in Georgia can affect custody and parenting time. If a move is being considered or has already been announced, getting advice early can help you understand how it may affect the current order.
Serving Parents in Marietta, Cobb County and Metro Atlanta
Our Marietta child custody lawyers represent parents throughout Cobb County and surrounding metro Atlanta communities, including Marietta, Smyrna, Vinings, Roswell, Alpharetta, Woodstock, and Sandy Springs.
Talk With a Marietta Child Custody Lawyer
You do not need to have the parenting schedule figured out before talking with an attorney. A consultation is a chance to explain what is happening, identify the issues that matter most, and understand what options may be available before making decisions that affect your children or your case.
Schedule a consultation with our Marietta child custody lawyers or call (770) 659-7030. Our Marietta office is located at 254 Roswell St NE, Marietta, GA 30060.