Child custody is one of the most important family law matters that must be evaluated and settled during a divorce. It is necessary to ensure that the children of divorcing parents have a plan for their care and financial needs. When New Jersey parents cannot make decisions about how to settle their custody disputes, their divorce courts can order custody outcomes.
There are many factors that courts look at to ensure that their determinations meet the best interests of the children whose lives will be impacted by their custody decisions. Though this post will discuss some of the factors that courts can evaluate, it is not comprehensive. Readers are encouraged to talk to their family law attorneys about their custody questions and concerns.
Best interests of the children
When custody decisions are made, they are crafted to meet the unique needs of the specific children they serve. As children have subjective requirements based on their own lives, child custody plans can look different from case to case. The following factors are relevant to child custody decisions:
- Parental cooperation
- Domestic violence and child safety
- Stability of the home
- The proximity of the parents’ homes
- Continuity of the child’s education
- Relationship of the child with siblings and parents
Courts can look at practically anything when deciding how best to establish a child custody plan.
Being an advocate for child custody outcomes
Though courts can wield power when it comes to child custody matters, parents are not without rights. They can voice their opinions, preferences and concerns about custody matters during their hearings. With the help of dedicated legal representatives, parents can advocate for their children’s needs and the custody plans that suit their families.
