| Chapter 6 of Title 36 in the Tennessee Code | | | | parental responsibilities; and the character of |
| contains all of the laws and state information | | | | persons residing in the parents' homes. All of |
| about child custody. This is important information | | | | these factors affect the custody and visitation |
| for anyone involved in a custody situation. Some | | | | schedule. Parents should think deeply about each |
| of the more pertinent rules for parents are the | | | | one and the schedule should reflect the wise |
| ones concerning the custody and visitation | | | | decisions. |
| schedule. The state of Tennessee has carefully | | | | Part 4 of Chapter 6 contains the information |
| crafted laws to ensure that the interest of the | | | | about the necessary parenting plan in the state of |
| child and the parents are protected in the | | | | Tennessee. Parents must create a parenting plan |
| schedule. Here are some of the guidelines for | | | | and submit it to the court. The plan must: provide |
| parents to consider as they make this crucial | | | | for the child's changing needs, establish the |
| document. | | | | authority of each parent with regard to making |
| When the court makes any determination about | | | | decisions, minimize the child's exposure to harmful |
| the custody of a child, the decision will be made | | | | conflict, and a residential schedule. The residential |
| with the child's best interest in mind. Section 106 | | | | schedule is the custody and visitation schedule, |
| of Chapter 6 outlines some of the factors that | | | | and the schedule must show where the child is |
| the state thinks influences what is best for the | | | | every day of the year. |
| child: the love and affection between the parents | | | | The court may award custody to either parent, |
| and the child; the disposition of the parents to | | | | or to both parents in a shared parenting |
| provide the child with food, medical care, clothing, | | | | agreement. Chapter 6 states that if the parents |
| education, and other necessary provisions; the | | | | are willing to work together on their custody and |
| length of time the child has lived in a stable, safe | | | | visitation schedule, the court will accept it. If the |
| environment; the stability of the family unit of the | | | | parents are not able to cooperate, the authority is |
| parents; the mental and physical health of the | | | | given to the court to make decisions about the |
| parents; the child's home, school, and community | | | | custody arrangements. Once the court has |
| record; the request of the child; each parents' | | | | accepted a schedule, the parents must follow it or |
| past or future potential for the performance of | | | | face the consequences of the law. |