Key factors affecting child custody arrangements

There are standard factors a court looks at when deciding on child support and custody arrangements. And knowing them will give a parent clear advantage when battling for shared or full custody.

Hereunder are some of the most crucial ones to keep in mind, courtesy of legal services firm Marrison Family Law.

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 One is the existing relationship between the child and each parent. If one parent has been an absentee parent and the child has developed a stronger bond with the other parent, the court may determine that the child resides with the parent with whom the child has bonded, and the other parent will be given parenting time (visitation). Expert parenting professionals are often appointed by the Court, at the expense of the parties.

Another factor is the wishes of the parents. If the parents were able to reach an amicable agreement beforehand, the court will likely uphold that agreement unless it determines that the agreement is not in the child’s best interest. For older children, the child’s wishes are also a factor.

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Marrison Family Law refers to 14-10-124, CRS for other factors, including issues of domestic violence, the child’s connection to the home, school, community, the ability of each parent to foster the relationship between the child and the other parent, the mental and physical health of all concerned.

Marrison Family Law is an award-winning firm based in Colorado Springs. For over 25 years, it has been offering legal services to people going through the difficult process of divorce. For more reads on family law, go to this page.