For divorcing parents, child custody will be one of the most important matters handled during the process. In the past, mothers were often favored as primary caregivers for their children. Today, child-related issues are determined by the best interests of the children involved and gender no longer has an impact on the outcome of a case.
Determining Child Custody
Now that you know gender will not influence the terms of your child custody case, it is important to focus on the factors that will. When determining what arrangement will best support the best interests of the children, a judge will examine several factors.
Below are some of the factors used to determine child custody:
- The wishes of each parent
- The age and maturity of the children
- Each parent’s willingness and ability to communicate with one another and support each other’s relationship with the children
- The physical and mental health of the children
- The physical and mental fitness of each parent
- Which parent has provided the most care for the children prior to the divorce
- The ability of each parent to provide a loving and stable environment for the children
- Each parent’s schedule and how it may impact time spent with the children
- The distance between both parents’ homes
- The wishes of the children might be considered if the children are old enough
- Evidence of abuse, domestic violence, or neglect
- A history of mental health concerns, substance abuse, or criminal activity
- Any other pertinent factors
All of these factors will be examined to render a decision that best serves the interests of the children.
Set Up a Case Review with a Knowledgeable Child Custody Attorney to Discuss Your Case!
If you are dealing with a family law dispute, now is the time to hire an experienced child custody attorney to handle your case and ensure your parental rights are protected. At Barach Law Group LLC, our family law team has more than 20 years of experience and is committed to providing compassionate and knowledgeable legal support. You can rely on our team to ensure the best possible results for you and your family.
Reach out to our family law team today at 617-819-1805 to set up an initial case review with one of our attorneys to discuss the details of your child custody case and learn more about what we can do for you.