For a parent, nothing is more important than their children, which is why child custody is often the most contentious and emotionally taxing matter in a divorce. Generally, family courts believe it is in a child’s best interests to maintain a healthy bond with both parents. The details of a custody arrangement, however, are based on several different factors, which a judge will closely examine before rendering a decision.
How Family Courts Make Child Custody Decisions
Stability is important for children, so family courts often try to select an arrangement that minimizes the amount of disruption they may experience as a result of the divorce.
Here are some of the factors a judge will examine in a child custody case:
- The ability of each parent to provide for the physical, medical, and emotional needs of the children.
- The ability of each parent to provide a loving and stable home for the children. In some cases, parents may be required to submit to a child custody evaluation.
- If the children are mature enough, a judge may consider their wishes.
- Each parent’s living accommodations. For example, will your children have their own separate rooms or will they have to share?
- The overall physical and mental health of each parent.
- The willingness of both parents to support one another’s relationship with the children.
- If either parent has provided most of the children’s care in the past.
- If either parent falsely accused the other of abuse or neglect.
- Confirmed evidence of neglect, abuse, or domestic violence by either parent.
- Any other factors a judge considers pertinent to the case.
With an experienced attorney on your side, you can feel confident you will receive the best possible results for your case.
Reach Out to Our Law Office to Speak to an Experienced Child Custody Attorney Today!
If you are in the middle of a child custody dispute, you should not hesitate to hire a knowledgeable family law attorney to handle your case. At Garza Law Firm, LLLP, our family law team is committed to handling some of the most difficult legal matters, including child custody. We understand how sensitive such cases are and will provide the compassionate and dedicated services you need to achieve the best resolution.
Call our law office today at (214) 225-4344 to set up a complimentary one-hour case review with an experienced member of our family law team to learn more about your legal options and how we can assist you.