Complex Child Custody

Murfreesboro Child Custody Lawyer

Dedicated to Helping Families in Tennessee Through Custody Disputes

Child custody disputes are some of the most emotionally challenging legal issues most will ever face. Every parent loves and cares for their children and will do everything possible to ensure that, regardless of state of their relationship with their co-parent, the bond with their child remains intact. Some child custody disputes are exceptionally more complex than others and may involve children with special needs, adoption, or mental illness.


Dealing with a complex child custody case? Reach out to our Murfreesboro child custody lawyers at (615) 640-4241 to request an initial consultatation.


How Does the TN Family Court Determine Custody?

To render child custody decisions, a judge will examine several factors to ensure that the arrangement effectively supports the best interests of the child, some of these factors include:

  • The living situation of each parent
  • The willingness of each parent to support the other’s relationship with the child
  • The age and needs of the child
  • If either parent has a history of abuse or neglect
  • The ability of either parent to provide a stable environment for the child
  • In some cases, a judge may consider the preferences of the child

At E. Evan Cope, PLLC in Murfreesboro, our child custody attorney is experienced in handling some of the most complex child custody matters and will work diligently on your behalf to protect your parental rights.

Common Custody Dispute Issues in Tennessee

Of course, child custody is always a complicated matter, but certain factors and make such cases particularly complex. To overcome such complexities, you must hire a child custody attorney in Murfreesboro with extensive experience in handling such matters.

Below are some of the most common complex child custody issues parents may encounter in a dispute:

  • Relocation or move-away cases
  • Disabilities
  • Neglect and domestic violence
  • Temporary orders
  • Violations of a court order

The above list is not exhaustive, so even if you do not see your child custody issue here, you may still need a complex child custody attorney to represent your case. Among this list, relocation cases are often the most common. Such cases are often highly contentious, especially when one parent wishes to move a considerable distance, potentially jeopardizing the amount of contact their co-parent will have with the child.

Tennessee Criteria for Unfit Parent

If you are fighting for custody of your child and you feel that your spouse is "unfit", then you will need to present concrete evidence that he or she is unable to serve in the child's best interests. Challenging the fitness of a parent is a serious accusation that no court takes likely. False accusations come with strict penalties such as fines, limited visitation, and loss of custodial rights.

If you are trying to gain custody over a child because of an unfit parent, these are a few of the criteria to examine:

  • Has there been evidence of child abuse or neglect?
  • Is there signs of child abonnement?
  • Does the parent with custody have a drug or alcohol problem?
  • Does the parent with custody have a disorder that inhibits he or she from carrying out their role as parent?
  • Has the parent shown the unwillingness to make important decisions for the child?
  • Is there a lack of emotional ties between the child and parent?

Penalties for being ruled unfit in TN include:

  • The termination of parental rights
  • The modification of visitation rights (supervised or denial)
  • Custody can be denied and transferred to the other parent

How our Murfreesboro Child Custody Attorney Can Help

If you are in the middle of a complex child custody dispute, you will need to secure experienced legal representation. At Evan Cope, PLLC in Murfreesboro, our child custody attorney has what it takes to help you navigate this difficult situation, ensuring your rights and the best interest of your child are protected. With our compassionate and knowledgeable attorney on your side, you can feel confident that you will receive the best results for your circumstances, so you can move forward into the next chapter of your life.


If you are going through a complex child custody dispute do not hesitate to reach out to our law office today at (615) 640-4241 to request an initial consultation and learn more about what we can do for you.