| Child custody is always a tricky subject. It can be | | | | Fitness of the parent- The court will look at both |
| difficult to say that one parent should have sole | | | | psychological and physical health. If one parent has a |
| custody over a child or that the custody should be | | | | serious condition, mental or physical, it could make it |
| divided in a certain way. In fact, there is nothing easy | | | | more difficult for him or her to care for the children. |
| when it comes to figuring out custody of a child or | | | | The child's choice- This is almost never the sole basis, |
| children. | | | | but the courts will often take the child's point of view |
| When custody comes up in a divorce, there are | | | | into account. The general goal of a custody case is |
| certain things that the courts will look for. These | | | | to find the best solution for the child, after all. |
| factors help to make the decisions for the parents | | | | Financial stability- If one parent is financially unable to |
| and the judge. Often, the factors that the court | | | | raise the child or children, the court may see it as a |
| looks for are as follows: | | | | better option to grant custody to the other parent. |
| Who the primary caregiver is- Obviously, if one | | | | Domestic violence- If either parent has a history of |
| parent gives more care than the other, that parent | | | | domestic violence, the likelihood of being granted |
| will be better suited to caring for the child or children | | | | custody is slim. Putting a child in a possibly abusive |
| in the future. | | | | environment is not something that the court will ever |
| Which parent will be more likely to grant visitation | | | | opt for. |
| rights to the other parent- The courts often believe | | | | Siblings- If there are multiple children, the court will |
| that having both parents around is best for the | | | | generally want to keep them together. This can |
| children. If one parent is more likely to grant visitation | | | | sometimes be one of the only permanent parts of a |
| rights, that can help the court in its decision. | | | | child's post custody case life. |