Child custody representation grounded in more than 20 years of work on behalf of clients in Roswell and the surrounding area.
If you are in the middle of a custody dispute or expect one to develop, having the right legal counsel matters. Custody cases in Georgia are decided on the facts, and the parent who presents the stronger case under the court's legal standards is the one more likely to get the outcome they need.
Vayman & Teitelbaum, P.C. has represented parents in Georgia custody disputes for more than two decades. Our Roswell, GA child custody lawyer practice covers initial custody determinations, modifications, visitation disputes, and contested cases that arise during or outside of divorce proceedings. Call our office to speak with a member of our team about your situation.
Child Custody Lawyer Roswell, GA
A child custody lawyer represents parents in disputes over where a child will live, who will make major decisions for the child, and how visitation with the noncustodial parent will be structured. Georgia divides custody into two categories: legal and physical. Legal custody covers decision-making authority over education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. Physical custody determines where the child actually lives on a daily basis.
Courts in Fulton County and across Georgia make custody decisions based on the best interest of the child. That is the governing standard, and everything else in the case flows from it. A Roswell custody attorney builds the case around that standard, presenting evidence about each parent's relationship with the child, their living situation, their involvement in the child's daily life, and their ability to provide a stable environment.
Types of Child Custody Cases We Handle in Roswell
Custody disputes come in many forms. Some are part of a divorce. Others involve parents who were never married. And some arise years after an original order because circumstances have changed. Our firm handles the following custody matters for clients throughout Roswell, GA.
- Joint custody. Georgia courts can award joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or both. Joint arrangements require parents who can communicate and cooperate, and when that cooperation breaks down, the arrangement itself becomes a source of conflict.
- Sole custody. When one parent is unable or unfit to share custody, the court may award sole legal or physical custody to the other. Substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration, and prolonged absence are among the factors that lead to this outcome.
- Custody during divorce. Most custody disputes arise during a divorce. The court addresses custody, visitation, and support alongside property and alimony, and temporary orders often set the initial arrangement while the case is pending.
- Unmarried parent custody. When parents are not married, custody rights are not automatic for both parties in Georgia. Mothers have presumptive custody. Fathers must first establish legitimation before the court will consider their claims, and the process for unmarried parents involves additional legal steps.
- Custody modifications. A custody order is not permanent if circumstances change in a meaningful way. A parent's relocation, a change in the child's needs, or a shift in one parent's living situation can all justify a petition for modification. We help parents pursue and defend against custody modifications in Fulton County and surrounding courts.
- Relocation cases. When a custodial parent wants to move out of the area or out of state, the noncustodial parent may object. Georgia courts evaluate whether the move serves the child's best interests, and relocating parents face a specific burden of proof in these cases.
- Grandparent visitation. Georgia law allows grandparents to petition for visitation under limited circumstances. These cases involve a different legal standard than parent-to-parent custody disputes, and the right to visitation is not guaranteed.
- Interstate custody disputes. When parents live in different states, jurisdictional questions arise about which court has authority. Georgia follows the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act to determine where a case should be heard.
Why Choose Vayman & Teitelbaum, P.C. as My Child Custody Lawyer in Roswell, GA?
Two Decades in Georgia Family Courts
Esther Vayman and Greg Teitelbaum have practiced family law in Georgia since 2005 and 2002, respectively, bringing over 40 years of combined courtroom experience to custody disputes across Roswell and north metro Atlanta. That includes contested trials, emergency hearings, modification proceedings, and mediations where custody was the central issue.
Esther is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, and the Federal Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia. Greg is admitted to the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Georgia Court of Appeals. As a family lawyer in Roswell, GA, our firm handles all areas of Georgia family law, and custody cases are among the most frequent matters we take on.
Recognition from Legal Peers
Esther has been named a Super Lawyer annually since 2018 and was selected to the Top 50 Women Attorneys and Top 100 Georgia Lawyers lists in 2024. She also received the AVLF Guardian Ad Litem of the Year award in 2015, a recognition directly tied to advocacy on behalf of children in custody cases. Greg has been named a Best Lawyer in 2023 and 2024, a GA Elite Lawyer from 2021 through 2024, and a Top 10 Family Law Attorney in 2024.
What Is Important to Understand About Child Custody Cases?
Types of Custody and Best Interest Factors in Georgia
Legal custody gives a parent the authority to make major decisions about the child's life, including education, medical care, and religious instruction. Physical custody determines the child's primary residence and daily living arrangement.
Courts can award either form of custody solely to one parent or jointly to both. The deciding factor in every case is the best interest of the child. Georgia courts look at a range of considerations when applying that standard:
- Each parent's relationship with the child, including emotional bonds and day-to-day involvement.
- The stability of each parent's home environment and their ability to provide for the child's physical and emotional needs.
- Each parent's willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent.
- The child's adjustment to their current home, school, and community.
- Any history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or criminal conduct.
- If the child is 14 or older, Georgia law allows them to choose which parent they want to live with, though the court can override that preference if doing so serves the child's best interests.
What Are Important Aspects of a Child Custody Case?
Custody cases are decided on evidence. Courts want documentation, witness testimony, and in some cases the findings of a professional custody evaluation. A few things tend to matter most:
- Consistency in parenting. Courts look favorably at the parent who has been most involved in the child's routine, schoolwork, medical appointments, and activities.
- Communication between parents. A willingness to cooperate on scheduling and decision-making reflects well. Obstruction does not.
- Behavior during the case. Judges notice when a parent limits the other side's access to the child or uses the child as a messenger.
- Temporary orders matter more than people expect. The arrangement set during a temporary hearing often becomes the baseline for the final decision.
What Is the Child Custody Case Timeline?
Custody cases move on their own schedule depending on whether the parties can negotiate or whether a trial is required. The general sequence in Georgia looks like this:
- One parent files a petition or complaint, and the other parent is served. If custody is part of a divorce, it is addressed within the divorce case.
- Temporary hearings can happen within weeks of filing if there is an urgent need to establish a custody arrangement.
- Discovery and investigation follow. Financial documents, school records, medical records, and communications may all become relevant. If a custody evaluation is ordered, that process can take several months.
- Mediation is required in most Georgia custody cases. Many disputes settle at this stage, sometimes after multiple sessions.
- If mediation does not resolve the custody issues, the case goes to trial and a judge makes the final determination.
Contested custody cases generally take several months to over a year. Cases involving allegations of abuse, relocation disputes, or international custody issues can take longer.
What Should You Bring to Your Child Custody Consultation?
Coming prepared to your first consultation helps a member of our team understand the full picture and advise you on how to proceed. We recommend bringing:
- A summary of the current custody and living arrangement, including where the child resides and who handles daily responsibilities.
- School records, medical records, and documentation of the child's extracurricular activities.
- Any existing court orders related to custody, visitation, or child support.
- Relevant text messages, emails, or other communications between you and the other parent.
- A list of specific concerns or incidents you want to discuss, including any issues related to the child's safety or wellbeing.
A client coordinator will review your situation during the consultation and explain what the custody process looks like in your particular case.
What Are Important Georgia Legal Resources for Child Custody Cases?
Georgia statutes govern every aspect of child custody, from the best interest factors courts apply to the procedures for modifying an existing order. These resources can help you understand the legal landscape.
- The Georgia General Assembly website provides access to Title 19 of the Official Code of Georgia, which covers custody, visitation, and child support under Georgia's domestic relations laws.
- Georgia Courts publishes self-help guides, procedural information, and county-specific rules for family law and custody filings.
- Georgia's Department of Human Services administers child support enforcement and provides resources for parents navigating support obligations.
- Georgia Legal Aid offers free legal information on custody, divorce, and other family law topics for Georgia residents.
- The Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's office maintains local rules and forms for custody filings in the county that handles most Roswell cases.
Reach Out to Vayman & Teitelbaum, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation
If you need a custody attorney in Roswell, GA, our firm is ready to help. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a client coordinator who can review the details of your case and explain your options. We represent parents in initial custody determinations, modifications, and contested disputes throughout Roswell and north metro Atlanta.