Domestic Violence and Tennessee Family Court
How Tennessee family courts may consider domestic abuse when determining custody.
Understanding Child Custody and Domestic Violence Concerns
Child Custody Framework
Child custody decisions focus on the best interests of the child. Courts consider various factors to decide which parent or guardian should have legal and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions about the child’s upbringing, while physical custody relates to where the child lives.
Custody arrangements can be sole or joint, depending on what the court believes will best support the child’s well-being. These frameworks aim to balance parental rights with the child’s needs.
Raising Domestic Violence Concerns
If there are concerns about domestic violence, these should be communicated clearly in custody proceedings. Courts take these concerns seriously as they can impact the safety and welfare of the child and the parent.
It is important that such concerns are supported with appropriate information so they can be properly assessed as part of custody decisions.
Evidence Courts May Evaluate
Court evaluation often involves reviewing different types of evidence related to the child’s safety and the parents’ behavior. Examples include:
- Police reports or protective orders
- Statements from witnesses or professionals
- Medical or counseling records
- Documentation of any previous incidents of violence or abuse
The court’s goal is to gather relevant information to make informed decisions regarding custody and visitation.
Supervised Visitation Options
In some cases, courts may order supervised visitation. This means a designated person or agency supervises visits between a parent and child to ensure safety.
Supervised visitation offers a way to maintain parent-child contact while addressing concerns about safety or risk during visits. The specifics of supervision can vary depending on the situation.
Additional support options can be found through resources listed at DV.Support.