A Child Custody Lawyer you can Count on 

Family Law

An experienced family law attorney will help you understand and navigate through difficult family law issues that may occur. Family law covers matters such as divorce, child custody, establishing paternity, adoption, child abuse/neglect and child support.

When you retain the Henegar Law Office to represent you, during this often stressful time, our office will extend legal services based upon the time spent by an attorney or legal assistant on your case, which may include, but is not limited to, drafting and preparation of documents, telephone calls, emails, legal research, court appearances and settlement conferences/mediation.

A Happy Family — Shelbyville, TN — Henegar Law Office

Child Custody 

Child custody disputes may arise during a divorce proceeding, during a post-divorce matter due to a material change in circumstances or as part of an initial action to establish paternity.


In Tennessee, courts apply several best interest factors to determine which parent should be the primary residential parent meaning the parent with whom the child or children reside more than fifty percent of the time. The alternate residential parent will exercise time with the child or children as set forth by the court upon consideration of the best interest factors and may have a child support obligation.

  • Tennessee Code Annotated Section 36-6-106 provides as follows:

    (a) In a suit for annulment, divorce, separate maintenance, or in any other proceeding requiring the court to make a custody determination regarding a minor child, the determination shall be made on the basis of the best interest of the child. In taking into account the child’s best interest, the court shall order a custody arrangement that permits both parents to enjoy the maximum participation possible in the life of the child consistent with the factors set out in this subsection (a), the location of the residences of the parents, the child’s need for stability and all other relevant factors. The court shall consider all relevant factors, including the following, where applicable:

    (1) The strength, nature, and stability of the child’s relationship with each parent, including whether one (1) parent has performed the majority of parenting responsibilities relating to the daily needs of the child;

    (2) Each parent’s or caregiver’s past and potential for future performance of parenting responsibilities, including the willingness and ability of each of the parents and caregivers to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and both of the child’s parents, consistent with the best interest of the child. In determining the willingness of each of the parents and caregivers to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship between the child and both of the child’s parents, the court shall consider the likelihood of each parent and caregiver to honor and facilitate court ordered parenting arrangements and rights, and the court shall further consider any history of either parent or any caregiver denying parenting time to either parent in violation of a court order;

    (3) Refusal to attend a court ordered parent education seminar may be considered by the court as a lack of good faith effort in these proceedings;

    (4) The disposition of each parent to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care, education and other necessary care;

    (5) The degree to which a parent has been the primary caregiver, defined as the parent who has taken the greater responsibility for performing parental responsibilities;

    (6) The love, affection, and emotional ties existing between each parent and the child;

    (7) The emotional needs and developmental level of the child;

    Tennessee Child Custody Factors

    (8) The moral, physical, mental and emotional fitness of each parent as it relates to their ability to parent the child. The court may order an examination of a party under Rule 35 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure and, if necessary for the conduct of the proceedings, order the disclosure of confidential mental health information of a party under § 33-3-105(3). The court order required by § 33-3-105(3) must contain a qualified protective order that limits the dissemination of confidential protected mental health information to the purpose of the litigation pending before the court and provides for the return or destruction of the confidential protected mental health information at the conclusion of the proceedings;

    (9) The child’s interaction and interrelationships with siblings, other relatives and step-relatives, and mentors, as well as the child’s involvement with the child’s physical surroundings, school, or other significant activities;

    (10) The importance of continuity in the child’s life and the length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment;

    (11) Evidence of physical or emotional abuse to the child, to the other parent or to any other person. The court shall, where appropriate, refer any issues of abuse to juvenile court for further proceedings;

    (12) The character and behavior of any other person who resides in or frequents the home of a parent and such person’s interactions with the child;

    (13) The reasonable preference of the child if twelve (12) years of age or older. The court may hear the preference of a younger child upon request. The preference of older children should normally be given greater weight than those of younger children;

    (14) Each parent’s employment schedule, and the court may make accommodations consistent with those schedules; and

    (15) Any other factors deemed relevant by the 

Paternity

When two unmarried people have a child together in the State of Tennessee, custody automatically vests with the mother. Legal actions need to be taken to establish a father’s parental rights and to determine if there is a child support obligation.

The process of divorce will be one of the most difficult and emotional times in someone’s life. Whether you find yourself in need of filing a divorce or if your spouse has already filed for divorce, we will assist you in navigating through the process to obtain a fair and equitable division of property and debt, assess the factors for alimony and address the best interest of your minor children. To learn more about divorce options, click here.

Adoption

Adoption is a legal process wherein the parental rights of the biological parent(s) are terminated and/or transferred to the adoptive parents. There are several types of adoption including relative, step-parent, foster-parent or adult.

Child Support

Tennessee sets child support by utilizing a child support calculator based upon the Tennessee Department of Human Services’ guidelines which compares the parties’ incomes from all sources. The other considerations in determining child support are the number of nights and hours the child or children spend with the parents, the cost of health insurance, daycare and any recurring expenses for the child or children and whether either party has additional children that are being supported in or outside their home.