When parents split, courts must come up with child custody arrangements to ensure the little one’s well-being. Knowing what to expect from the decisions may help you feel more prepared for the outcome as you work with your lawyer and former partner. Here are a few of the factors courts consider when deciding who should receive primary custody.

What Influences Child Custody Arrangements?

1. The Child’s Preferences

An older child’s desires are sometimes factored into custody decisions. The judge might ask them who they’d like to live with without the parents present to get a true reading of their wishes. However, this usually doesn’t play a large part in the decision, since children may not realize what’s best for their well-being.

2. The Parents’ Wishes

In most cases, the objective is to split time between the parents as fairly as possible. However, if one person is more eager to take on extra time with their child or asks to keep the other parent away for a particular reason, that’s noted during the proceedings. This may come into play if there are issues with abuse or neglect.

3. Employment

Employment history has two effects. On one hand, a parent who works is better able to provide financial stability for the child. However, this also means more time away from home. Factors such as health benefits, commute, and full or part-time status are weighed in to determine which adult has a better work/life balance.

4. Health

A parent’s mental and physical well-being matters. Judges consider how preexisting conditions could impact a child’s financial situation or the parent’s ability to provide care. However, mental health issues don’t automatically exclude someone from having custody. 

5. Relationships 

The dynamics of each relationship are evaluated. To do this, judges may ask who feeds the child, stays home with them when they get sick, oversees education and hygiene, and puts the child to sleep. The goal is to keep the child’s quality of life and routine as unaffected as possible.

If you have underage children, turn to Darryl L. Jones, Attorney at Law during divorce for help with child custody. Serving Palmer, AK, this law firm has provided quality legal counsel to Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley for more than three decades. They help with all aspects of divorce to make the process as easy for your family as possible. Explore their practice areas online, or call (907) 746-9851 to schedule a consultation.