Child Custody & Visitation

100+ Combined Years Serving Clarksville

Clarksville Child Custody Lawyer

Resolving Child Custody Issues – (931) 361-4477

Whether you need to negotiate, mediate, or litigate a child custody case, you can depend on our family law firm. Backed by decades of experience, Mr. Pittman can help you determine child custody in a divorce and handle post-divorce modifications. Our Clarksville child custody attorney is prepared to work directly with you from start to finish of your custody and visitation case.

Counsel for Parenting Plans & Custody Litigation

At Patton | Pittman, our goal is to secure a fair custody and visitation settlement through mediation or some other amicable process, setting aside egos and resentments so as to build a parenting plan that works best for the child. But if that is simply not possible, then we are ready to litigate your case at trial. You can depend on our experienced family law litigation team to help you fight for your parental rights.

  • In determining a custody and visitation court order, family courts generally factor in:
  • The quality of the child’s relationships with each parent
  • The child’s relationships with siblings and other relatives, as well as in the community and school
  • Any history of domestic abuse or substance abuse
  • The wishes of the child, particularly if 12 years old or more

Courts typically want to award joint custody so that the child benefits from having both parents in their life, and a court will also want to promote continuity in the kid’s life as much as possible. But each case is unique, and our Clarksville custody and visitation lawyers are ready to work one-on-one with you to ensure that we understand your family dynamic and your children’s needs. We are ready to work tirelessly to make sure that the court sees what is best for your children, and then makes that a reality.

How Do the Courts Calculate Child Support?

Judges consider the following factors when determining how much child support should be paid out:

  • The child’s needs such as health insurance, education, day care, and other special needs
  • The custodial parent’s income and needs
  • Whether the paying parent has the ability to pay
  • What the child's living standards were before the divorce

Divorced spouses are required show their full financial situation by providing various financial statements to the courts. Both parents must disclose their monthly income and expenses before a child support decision can be reached.

Courts will usually take the family’s standard of living prior to the divorce, into account as well. When possible, courts like to continue the family’s living standard for the child. However, maintaining this standard is only a goal, not an actual guarantee.

Factors Courts Takes Into Account When Determining Child Custody

Courts must also determine the “best interests of the child” when deciding which spouse will be granted custody. The following are factors that will be considered in a child custody case:

  • The child's age, sex, and overall health
  • The parent's mental and physical health
  • The parent's lifestyle and other social factors
  • Whether there is any history of child abuse
  • The emotional bond between the parent and child
  • The parent's ability to give the child guidance
  • The parent's ability to provide the child with food, shelter, clothing, and medical care
  • The child's established living routine (school, home, community, religious institution)
  • The quality of the child's education in their current situation
  • Which parent the child prefers

Ultimately, courts are primarily interested in figuring out which parent is likely to provide the child with a stable environment that fosters their relationship with the other parent.

What Types of Custody Are There?

  • Legal Custody: Gives a parent the right to make long-term decisions about raising the child.
  • Physical Custody: the parent who is granted this right provides care for the child on a daily basis. Typically means the child lives with said parent.
  • Sole Custody: Parent is given exclusive physical and legal custody of the child.
  • Joint Custody: Both parents share equal legal custody and physical custody rights.
  • Grandparent Visitation and Custody: Courts can grant visitation or custody rights to grandparents in certain situations.

Modifying Child Custody or Support in Clarksville

  • We represent either side in cases that involve:
  • Relocating outside of Tennessee with the children
  • Requesting an increase in parenting time
  • Petitioning for full custody due to neglect or abuse
  • Requesting a decrease or increase in child support payments
  • Failure to pay child support
  • Violations of the parenting plan or a refusal of visitation rights

Whether your child custody case involves the Tennessee Parental Relocation Act or the laws that affect members of the Armed Forces, we have the insight and advice you need. We can discuss how we can help you in a free, confidential consultation. No matter the legal challenges present, our experienced Clarksville family law firm is ready to protect your child’s best interest.


We understand what is at stake, and our family lawyers in Clarksville, TN are ready to advocate for your child’s future. Call (931) 361-4477 to request your FREE initial consultation and to learn how we can help you.


We Will Walk You Through the Entire Child Custody & Visitation Process Get in Touch Today