Child Custody Lawyer: Your Guide to Agreed Parenting Plans
When your children are involved, divorce requires more than just ending a marriage—it requires building a new framework for co-parenting that protects their emotional well-being and secures their future.
As an experienced child custody lawyer serving families throughout Tennessee, Frank Kessler helps parents create comprehensive parenting plans through agreement rather than courtroom conflict. With over 40 years of legal experience focusing exclusively on uncontested divorces, we provide the guidance you need to make informed decisions while keeping your family’s best interests at the center of every choice.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or ready to finalize your parenting plan, this page will help you understand:
How child custody works in Tennessee
What goes into an agreed parenting plan
How child support is calculated
Why agreement benefits your children
How our flat-fee process works
What Tennessee Parents Must Know About Child Custody
Before you can make informed decisions about your parenting plan, you need to understand how Tennessee law approaches child custody. The information below will help you grasp the fundamentals—so when you speak with a child custody lawyer, you’ll already understand the landscape.
As an Uncontested Divorce Lawyer in Brentwood, TN, I ensure that settlement agreements comply with Tennessee statutory requirements and properly address financial and parenting details that might otherwise be overlooked.
The Two Types of Custody in Tennessee
Legal Custody refers to the authority to make major decisions about your child’s life, including:
Education choices and school selection
Healthcare decisions and medical treatment
Religious upbringing and training
Extracurricular activities and opportunities
Physical Custody refers to where your child lives and the daily parenting time schedule, including:
Weekday and weekend routines
Holiday and vacation rotations
Summer break arrangements
Transportation and exchange logistics
The Agreement Path (Our Approach)
| Aspect | Agreed Parenting Plan Reality |
|---|---|
| Decision Maker | You and your co-parent |
| Timeline | Weeks, not months or years |
| Cost | One affordable flat fee (starting at $1,100) |
| Family Dynamic | Builds foundation for cooperative co-parenting |
| Children’s Experience | Children see parents working together respectfully |
| Privacy | Your family matters remain private |
| Outcome | Custom solution designed for your unique family |
Agreement vs. Litigation: Two Paths, Two Outcomes
The path you choose for determining custody will shape your family’s future for years to come. Here’s how the two approaches compare:
The Litigation Path (What We Help You Avoid)
| Aspect | Court Battle Reality |
|---|---|
| Decision Maker | A judge who has never met your children |
| Timeline | 6-18 months of hearings and delays |
| Cost | $10,000 – $50,000+ in legal fees |
| Family Dynamic | Creates permanent conflict and resentment |
| Children’s Experience | Children often feel caught in the middle |
| Privacy | Everything becomes public court record |
| Outcome | One-size-fits-all order that may not fit your family |
Our Experience
Your Divorce, Your Privacy—No Courtroom Required.
Years of Experience
Satisfied Clients
How Child Support Works in Tennessee Parenting Plans
Child support is often the most misunderstood aspect of divorce involving children. This section provides clear, accurate information about how Tennessee calculates support—so you can make informed decisions about your family’s financial future.
The Income Shares Model Explained
Tennessee uses the Income Shares Model, which estimates the amount parents would have spent on their child if they lived together. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Both parents’ gross monthly incomes are combined
Step 2: The combined income is used to determine the basic child support obligation (based on Tennessee guidelines)
Step 3: Each parent contributes proportionally based on their share of the combined income
Step 4: Adjustments are made for parenting time, childcare costs, and health insurance
Factors That Affect Child Support Calculations
| Factor | How It Affects Support |
|---|---|
| Income Level | Higher combined income = higher base obligation (up to a maximum) |
| Parenting Time | More overnights with the paying parent can reduce payment |
| Childcare Costs | Work-related childcare is added to the obligation |
| Health Insurance | Premiums paid by either parent are credited |
| Other Children | Support for other children may affect available income |
| Extraordinary Expenses | Medical, educational, or special needs expenses may be added |
Child support calculations involve complex factors and specific worksheets. As your dedicated child support lawyer, we ensure every number is accurate, every credit is applied, and your agreement fully complies with Tennessee law. [Get clarity on your child support situation.]
WHY CHOOSE FRANK KESSLER FOR YOUR CHILD CUSTODY CASE
40+ Years of Experience Helping Tennessee Families
When you search for child support lawyers near me or custody attorneys, experience matters. Frank Kessler has spent over four decades practicing family law in Tennessee—and has built his entire practice around helping parents reach agreement rather than fighting in court.
What Sets Our Approach Apart
Exclusive Focus on Agreement
Unlike attorneys who handle both contested and uncontested cases, we work exclusively with parents who want to reach agreement.
This focus means:
We know what makes parenting plans work long-term
We anticipate issues before they become problems
We draft documents that courts approve without question
We understand the psychology of cooperative co-parenting
Practical, Real-World Solutions
With 40+ years of experience, Frank Kessler has seen virtually every co-parenting situation imaginable.
OUR SIMPLE, STRESS-FREE PROCESS
How We Help You Finalize Your Parenting Plan
We’ve streamlined our process to make completing your parenting plan as simple and stress-free as possible.
Step-by-Step Overview
Step 1: Free Initial Consultation (No Cost, No Obligation)
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We listen to your situation and goals
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We explain how agreed parenting plans work
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We answer your questions about Tennessee law
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You decide if our approach fits your needs
Step 2: Information Gathering (You Provide the Details)
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We provide simple worksheets for your parenting schedule
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You share financial information for child support
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We discuss any unique considerations for your family
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You and your co-parent reach agreement on key points
Step 3: Document Preparation (We Do the Legal Work)
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We draft your complete parenting plan
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We prepare the Tennessee Child Support Worksheet
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We create all required court documents
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You receive drafts for review within 1-2 weeks
Step 4: Review and Refinement (You Approve Everything)
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You review all documents
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We make any needed adjustments
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You and your co-parent sign final versions
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We ensure everything reflects your agreement
Step 5: Filing and Finalization (We Handle the Court)
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We file documents with the appropriate Tennessee court
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We manage all communication with the court
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You receive copies of your final, court-approved parenting plan
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No court appearance required in most cases
What You Can Expect Timeline-Wise
| Phase | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | 1-2 days to schedule |
| Information Gathering | 1-3 weeks (depends on you) |
| Document Preparation | 1-2 weeks |
| Review and Revisions | 3-7 days |
| Court Processing | 2-6 weeks (varies by county) |
| Total Typical Timeline | 4-10 weeks from start to finish |
Commercial Message: *Ready to move forward? Our process is designed to be clear, efficient, and affordable.
Need Help From an Experienced Divorce Attorney?
OUR TESTIMONIALS
Client Experiences That Speak for Themselves
What We Do
Agreed / Uncontested Divorces Only
We specialize exclusively in agreed, uncontested, and stipulated divorces.
Divorce by Mail or In-Person
Choose to complete your divorce through mail, phone, or a visit to our office—whatever works for you.
Private & Confidential
We file your documents outside your home county (if you choose) to protect your privacy.
Agreed Parenting Plans
If you have children, we’ll help you file a legally sound, agreed-upon parenting plan, including our Child Support Worksheet.
Payment Plans
Start with a down payment and take up to 4 months to pay the balance before filing.
Free Initial Consultation
We’ll talk through your case at no charge to help you determine your next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions – Brentwood Divorce Law
1. What's the difference between legal custody and physical custody?
Legal custody gives you the right to make major decisions about your child’s education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. Physical custody determines where your child lives and when. Tennessee parents can share both types of custody in various combinations. An experienced child custody lawyer can help you structure both to fit your family’s needs.
2. Does Tennessee favor mothers over fathers in custody cases?
No. Tennessee law explicitly prohibits gender-based preferences in custody determinations. Courts focus solely on the best interest of the child, considering each parent’s ability to provide care and support. Fathers have equal rights to seek custody and parenting time.
3. What is an "agreed parenting plan"?
An agreed parenting plan is a document created by both parents—with legal guidance—that outlines custody, parenting time, and decision-making authority. Unlike court-imposed orders, agreed plans reflect what both parents believe works best for their children.
4. How long does it take to finalize an agreed parenting plan?
Most cases complete within 4-10 weeks from initial consultation to final court approval. The timeline depends primarily on how quickly parents provide information and reach agreement on details.
5. Can we change our parenting plan later?
Yes. Tennessee courts allow modification when there has been a material change in circumstances and the proposed change serves the child’s best interests. Common reasons include relocation, work schedule changes, or children’s evolving needs.
6. What if my co-parent doesn't follow the parenting plan?
Your parenting plan is a court order. If the other parent violates it, you have legal remedies including contempt of court. We recommend starting with communication, then potentially mediation, before pursuing court enforcement.
7. How much does an agreed parenting plan cost?
Our flat-fee pricing for complete divorce services—including your parenting plan and child support worksheet—starts at just $1,100. This includes everything: consultation, document preparation, revisions, and court filing. No hourly billing, no surprises.