Mother's Rights Attorney in Franklin
Protecting Your Role As A Mother in Tennessee
When a relationship ends or conflict escalates, many mothers worry first about their children. You may be asking whether you will still make decisions for your child, whether you will have enough time with them, and how you will manage financially. In these moments, having a mother's rights attorney in Franklin who understands both the law and the local courts can make a meaningful difference in how you move forward.
At Garrett Talley & Thorington, we focus our work on family law and have represented families in Franklin, Nashville, and surrounding communities since 1973. Over those decades, we have guided many mothers through custody, visitation, child support, and divorce, with careful attention to the children at the center of every case. Our goal is to provide clear guidance, steady support, and practical strategies that protect your relationship with your children and help you move into the next chapter with greater confidence.
Don’t let your parental rights be overlooked. Work with a dedicated mother’s rights lawyer in Franklin. Call (629) 245-2933 or contact Garrett Talley & Thorington today.
Why Mothers Choose Our Mother's Rights Attorney in Franklin
Choosing someone to advise you about your children and your future is an important decision. Many mothers are looking for more than legal answers—they want steady guidance from a team that understands Franklin families, local courts, and the realities of long-term co-parenting.
Mothers in Franklin, TN, choose us because our:
- Experience Rooted in the Franklin Community: Our firm has served families in this area since 1973. That history gives us insight into how Tennessee family law has evolved and how local judges apply the best-interests standard in real-life situations.
- Focused Family Law Representation: Because family law is our primary focus, we regularly handle matters that affect mothers and children directly, including custody, parenting time, parental rights, child support, alimony, and property division tied to a child’s stability.
- Accessible and Flexible Support: Located near Downtown Franklin, we make in-person meetings convenient while also offering virtual consultations for mothers balancing work, school schedules, and childcare.
- Personalized Guidance and Communication: We provide one-on-one attention, clear communication, and legal strategies built around your goals rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, helping you plan for both the present and the future.
Understanding Your Rights As A Mother Under Tennessee Law
Many mothers are surprised to learn that Tennessee law does not automatically favor one parent over the other. Courts are required to focus on the best interests of the child and to look closely at the specific facts of each family. For a mother who has been closely involved in daily care, this can be reassuring, but it can also raise questions about how to show the court the reality of your parenting role.
Key decisions in a parenting case usually involve two main ideas. One is legal decision-making, which refers to authority over significant choices about your child’s education, medical care, and religious upbringing. The other is the residential schedule, which sets out where your child will live on school days, weekends, holidays, and vacations. Tennessee uses parenting plans to put these arrangements into a clear written structure.
As a mother, you typically have rights to time with your child and to be involved in important decisions unless a court finds serious concerns about safety or welfare. You also generally have the right to access information about your child’s schooling and medical care. Our role is to help you understand how these rights apply in your situation and how to present the history of your involvement to the court in a clear and respectful way.
How Custody, Parenting Time, and Support Decisions Affect Mothers in Franklin
Legal language like custody and visitation can feel distant from your daily life. In practice, these decisions shape where your children wake up on school days, how they spend holidays, and how you coordinate homework, activities, and healthcare with the other parent. They also influence financial arrangements, including child support and sometimes alimony, which affect your ability to maintain a stable home.
When courts in Tennessee evaluate parenting arrangements, they generally consider factors such as each parent’s involvement in day-to-day care, each parent’s work schedule, the child’s school and community ties, and each parent’s ability to encourage a healthy relationship with the other parent. A mother who has handled many of the medical appointments, school communication, or extracurricular activities can often show this through calendars, messages, and records. A mother who works outside the home can often demonstrate how she has balanced work and parenting responsibilities.
Child support decisions are also closely tied to the parenting schedule and each parent’s income. These orders can have a direct impact on your monthly budget for housing, food, transportation, and school-related costs. We help mothers understand how proposed parenting plans may affect both daily routines and financial stability, and we work to develop solutions that support both the children’s needs and the mother’s ability to meet those needs over time. When property division or business ownership is involved, we also consider how those issues interact with support and long-term planning.
What To Do If You Are Worried About Losing Time With Your Children
When you are worried that a separation or dispute could reduce your time with your children, taking early and thoughtful steps can make a meaningful difference. Small, consistent actions often carry more weight than reactive decisions and can help protect your role as a parent.
- Documenting Your Daily Involvement: Keeping a simple log of school drop-offs, homework routines, medical appointments, activities, and caregiving responsibilities helps create a clear picture of your role in your children’s lives and makes it easier to recall details if questions arise later.
- Preserving Child-Focused Communication: Saving respectful texts, emails, and shared calendars related to parenting can show how decisions are made and who is coordinating key aspects of your child’s care. At the same time, being mindful of tone and avoiding written conflict is important, as communications may be reviewed out of context.
- Responding Early to Potential Restrictions: If the other parent is limiting contact or making major changes without discussion, seeking legal guidance sooner can be critical. Temporary arrangements can influence long-term outcomes, especially if they continue for months.
- Understanding Your Legal Options: A mother’s rights lawyer can help you evaluate whether concerns should be addressed through negotiation, mediation, parenting plans, or court action, and guide you toward steps that protect your role while keeping the focus on your children’s well-being.
How Our Franklin Mother's Rights Attorneys Work to Protect Your Family and Goals
When you reach out to our firm, our goal is to help you understand where you are, what lies ahead, and how the legal process fits into your family’s real life. From the first conversation forward, we focus on clarity, preparation, and steady guidance.
- Initial Consultation and Listening First: We begin by learning about your children, your daily routines, your caregiving history, and your concerns about the future. We also discuss how issues like divorce, custody, parenting plans, child support, alimony, and asset division may intersect in your case so you can see the full picture.
- Explaining the Legal Process Clearly: Because we regularly handle Tennessee family law matters, we explain common steps such as filing requirements, parenting classes, mediation, and hearings in plain language. We also outline what preparation is helpful at each stage.
- Ongoing Communication and Case Management: Throughout your case, we prioritize timely, clear communication about deadlines, developments, and options. Our goal is to keep you informed and reduce uncertainty as your case moves forward.
- Negotiation, Mediation, or Court Advocacy: When possible, we work toward early, well-prepared agreements that create stability without prolonged litigation. If hearings are necessary, we are prepared to present your parenting role and your children’s needs effectively to the court.
- Handling Financial and Complex Issues Together: When a case involves business interests, intellectual property, or other complex assets, we address financial and parenting concerns together, rather than treating them as separate issues, to support practical and durable outcomes.
If we’ve earned your trust, we’d be honored if you left us a 5-star review. Your feedback helps others in our community find reliable legal support—and it means the world to our team.
Talk With Our Mother's Rights Lawyer in Franklin, TN
The choices made during a custody or divorce case can shape your relationship with your children and your financial foundation for years to come. You deserve guidance from a team that understands Tennessee family law, knows the courts serving Franklin and the Greater Nashville area, and is committed to listening to your concerns. Since 1973, Garrett Talley & Thorington has worked with families in this community to navigate some of life’s most personal legal challenges, including those that affect mothers and their children.
Fighting for custody or visitation? Our skilled Franklin mother’s rights lawyers are ready to advocate for you. Call (629) 245-2933 or schedule your consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can I Do If I Feel My Parenting Time Is Being Limited?
If you feel that the other parent is limiting your time with your children in a way that does not match your current orders or that goes beyond your informal agreements, it is important to get advice before the situation becomes a long-term pattern. In many cases, keeping detailed records of missed time, changes in schedules, and communication about those changes can be helpful. It can also be useful to avoid reacting in ways that might be portrayed negatively later, even when you feel frustrated or afraid. We work with mothers to review existing orders, evaluate whether they are being followed, and discuss options that may include negotiation, mediation, or, when needed, asking the court to address violations or clarify the parenting schedule.
Can A Parenting Plan Or Custody Order Be Changed Later?
Parenting plans and custody orders can sometimes be modified, but Tennessee courts generally require a material change in circumstances before making significant changes. Examples can include substantial shifts in a parent’s work schedule, relocation, or emerging concerns about a child’s needs or safety. Even when a change has occurred, the court must decide whether a new arrangement would better serve the child’s best interests. We help mothers evaluate whether their situation may meet these standards, gather relevant information, and consider whether negotiation, mediation, or court is the most appropriate path for seeking a change.
Will The Court Hold It Against Me If I Work Full Time Or Stay At Home?
Court decisions about parenting time and responsibilities are rarely based on a single factor such as employment status. Judges typically look at how each parent’s schedule affects the children’s routines, who has been handling daily tasks, and how each parent supports the child’s relationship with the other parent. A mother who works full-time can often show how she has arranged childcare, stayed involved in school and activities, and maintained a strong bond with her child. A mother who stays at home can often show the depth of her day-to-day involvement. We talk with mothers about how to describe their work and caregiving in a way that reflects the whole picture rather than a label.
How Soon Should I Talk To A Lawyer If Separation Is Likely?
Speaking with a mother's rights attorney early can help you understand your options and avoid steps that may create problems later. When separation seems likely, decisions about moving out, temporary schedules, finances, and communication with the other parent can all influence how a case unfolds. By talking with us before or during these early changes, you can make more informed choices about what to put in writing, how to structure time with the children, and how to plan for court or negotiation if that becomes necessary. We offer both in-person and virtual meetings so you can speak with us in a way that fits your schedule.
Our Core Values
Guiding Every Case with Integrity and Purpose
At Garrett Talley & Thorington, our values aren’t just words—they’re the foundation of how we serve our clients. From honest communication to strategic advocacy, these principles shape every decision we make and every relationship we build.
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Dedicated to Protecting Your FutureWhether you're facing divorce, custody, or another family law matter, we’re here to secure the best outcome for you and your family.
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Personalized Advocacy for Every ClientNo two families are the same. We take the time to understand your story and craft a legal approach that protects what matters most to you.
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Clear Communication. Strategic Guidance.We keep you informed every step of the way, offering honest advice and a well-defined legal strategy built around your goals.
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Proven Legal Experience You Can TrustWith decades of combined experience, our attorneys deliver reliable, results-driven representation in even the most complex cases.
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Compassionate Counsel When It Matters MostWe understand the emotional weight of family law matters and provide empathetic guidance tailored to your unique circumstances.