Child custody cases can be emotionally challenging for all parties involved.
When parents separate or divorce, determining who will have custody of the children is often one of the most contentious issues.
Parental fitness
With 989,518 divorces in 2022, one of the key challenges is child custody, and an important consideration for judges is the evaluation of each parent’s ability to provide a stable and nurturing environment for the child. This assessment includes factors such as the parent’s ability to meet the child’s basic needs and provide appropriate supervision.
Parent-child relationship
The quality of the relationship between each parent and the child is another consideration. Judges look at the parents’ level of involvement in the child’s life, ability to communicate effectively and willingness to facilitate the child’s relationship with the other parent. Whether the parents satisfy the child’s emotional needs is a consideration as well.
Child’s preference
In some cases, particularly when the child is older, judges may consider the child’s custody preference. However, the child’s wishes are not the sole determining factor. Judges weigh them against other relevant factors, such as the child’s age as well as his or her physical and emotional needs.
Stability and continuity
Maintaining stability and continuity in the child’s life is important for their well-being. Judges consider factors such as the child’s current living situation, school, community ties and relationships with siblings and extended family members when making custody decisions.
The best interests of the child principle guides all custody decisions. Judges search for an arrangement that is most beneficial for the child’s well-being.