Child custody is another area of family law that takes into account the best interests of each individual in the family. It is a complicated issue, as both the children and the parents often have strong emotions concerning the outcome of a custody case. It’s also complicated because it can be extremely difficult for the state to fairly determine who is best fit to have child custody.
Many people feel that child custody cases are extremely slanted in favor of the mother, which can be a negative looming thought for a father. Men may feel as though they’re going into a case that’s already decided against their favor. Thankfully, the statistics paint a different story:
Any concerned parent wants to make sure that they have a fair chance of providing for their children. While many people imagine child custody cases as taking place in the courtroom, the reality is that a lot of them can be settled when the two parents simply talk it out with their lawyers present.
The idea of fighting it out with your ex-spouse to determine who should have custody of the children is a daunting thought for many people. But again, this difficult issue is often settled without the interference of the court.
It may be helpful to know, in cases where judges are evaluating the custody situation for your children, what factors are commonly weighed in order to reach a decision. The following can help a judge (or you and your ex-spouse during mediation) take your children’s best interests into account:
These are just a few of the factors involved, but others include each parent’s relationship with the children before the divorce, the children’s preferences, and the continuity and stability of each parent.
You don’t have to wait for this case to go to court to reach a decision. Taking an honest look at the factors above can help you and your ex-spouse, with the help of your lawyers, figure out an arrangement that works for both of you.
Attorney Sherry Naegele has been practicing law in the state of Ohio since 2000. Her practice encompasses all areas of family law, and her experience and compassion can help you through life’s most difficult situations. Contact her today to get started.
