*13 PRONGS TO CHILDS BEST INTEREST* What each parent wants for custody; What the child wants. This only counts if the child is old enough. Generally a child must be at least 10 years old before a court will ask about what they want. But the court will look at each child’s situation and decide if the child is old enough or able to say what they want. Who is the child’s primary caretaker; The closeness of the relationship between each parent and the child; The situation and relationship between the child and parents, siblings and other people who may play a big part in the child’s life (like grandparents or parent’s new partner); The child’s adjustment to home, school and community; The amount of time the child has lived in a stable and good environment and the need to maintain what the child is used to; The permanence of the proposed custodial home. For example, does the mother or father have a new boy or girl friend? If they live together, how long has it been? Is it likely to last? The mental and physical health of everyone involved; The ability and willingness of the parties to give the child love, affection and guidance and to keep educating and raising the child in his/her culture or religion; The child’s cultural background; If there is, or has been, domestic abuse by one parent against the other. How has that affected the child? The willingness of each parent to support and allow the child to spend time with the other parent (unless there is, or has been, domestic abuse).
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 06:02:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015