Separating parents can face issues in agreeing on a child custody arrangement that works best. It’s easy for these situations to escalate, causing both parents to become angry and resentful. Overcoming these conflicts is never simple, but with the assistance of the child custody courts and mediation services in Lafayette, it can be possible.
When deciding on a custody arrangement, child custody courts make a decision that they consider to be in the best interests of the child. This means that they evaluate the entire situation and consider how certain arrangements would affect the child’s overall well-being. The following are some of the main factors that child custody courts take into account when making a custody decision.
The mental and physical health of each parent
The courts will want to make a full assessment of the mental and physical well-being of both parents. If there is a history of mental illness or abusive behavior that resulted from a mental illness, the courts will want to investigate this and determine the current and future risk that this could present to the child.
The wishes of each parent
The courts will not force a parent to take on responsibilities that they do not want or are not prepared for. This is why the wishes of each parent will be taken into consideration. If the wishes of both parents severely conflict — for example, if both parents are determined to gain full custody — a compromise will be sought.
The child’s personality and maturity
In certain situations, the child’s own wishes will be taken into account. However, the courts will observe the age of the child and their emotional and intellectual maturity before allowing this to influence their decision. They will also be aware of the possibility of the child being influenced or even coerced by one of their parents.
Many different factors will be taken into account when the courts assess a child custody case. Whenever possible, the courts will try to ensure that the child is able to build and maintain a healthy relationship with both parents. If you want to ensure that your child’s best interests are recognized, it is important that you take the time to understand the law in full.