Georgia Child Custody Bill Doesn’t Do Enough For Fathers in Divorces, According to Some Joint Custody Advocates!
A Georgia child custody bill would require judges to explain in writing how they came to custody decisions during divorce proceedings; a measure which a growing legion of joint custody advocates in the state feel doesn’t do enough! Specifically, House Bill 369 would provide parents with exact reasons to appeal when fighting for joint custody. Introduced by Representative Tom Price, this Georgia child custody bill would also require parents to submit a parenting plan to the court detailing visitation rights and explaining which parent has authority over certain decisions in the child’s life, according to a recent story in The Florida Times-Union Jacksonville.
According to Price, many groups have been pushing for a Georgia divorce law which would grant joint custody to all fathers unless they are proven unfit. The Georgians for Family Law/Child Support Reform is one such group which feels that child custody decisions are too often predicated on an antiquated notion that the mother is the better choice for the child after divorce. Consequently, the group’s President, Julie Batson, said in the story that this current Georgia child custody bill does not do enough for fathers or address issues previously raised by the Georgia House Shared Parenting Study Committee. Headed by Price, this committee has previously reported that it is in the best interests of the child for both parents to work together when raising children after divorce.
This notion of “shared parenting” has drawn concern from other people in Georgia. Lisa Clarke, an Augusta family law attorney, feels that children need stability in their lives and that having a child live in both parents’ home undermines such a necessity. Be sure to visit The Divorce Blog for the latest developments on this Georgia child custody bill.
