How is child custody determined in Tennessee?

Child custody Tennessee laws allow for two different ways for custody to be determined:

• The court will sign off on and make legal any agreement that the two parents make outside of the courtroom. Whether you sit down yourself and come to an agreement, use lawyers, use a mediator or use a collaborative divorce coach, the court strongly encourages parents to take advantage of out-of-court resolution. No one is in a better position than the parents to know what custody arrangement will be best for their child and family, and the court respects these decisions when they are possible
• If parents are unable to agree to an out of court settlement on custody issues, the court allows them to litigate the issue. Each parent will present arguments and evidence and the court will listen to this information to determine what is in the child's best interests. Factors that go into deciding what is in a child's best interest include his past relationship with each respective parent, who has provided the primary childcare to the child, and whether each parent is fit and able to provide a home. Most commonly, the child is allowed continued access to both his parents, through either shared custody or visitation, since such an arrangement is viewed as better for the child.

If you are going through a custody dispute in Tennessee, you need to have a lawyer to make sure your rights are protected and to help you get as much access to your child as possible.