When a couple that has children gets divorced, one of the factors that must be addressed is regarding which parent will have more parenting time. The parent that spends the majority of the time with the children is known as the custodial parent. Of course, when there are two very suitable parents, determining custody can be very difficult. This is one of the most emotional aspects of any divorce that involves children. In order to make a decision on custody, the court will take a number of different factors into consideration. Some of these factors include the following:
- Each parent’s ability to provide for the child
- The quality of home life each parent can offer the child
- Each parents history of substance abuse and domestic violence
- If the child is old enough, their preference is considered
- The work schedule and lifestyle of each parent
- Each parent’s physical and mental health
- The relationship between the child and each parent
There may be situations in which parents are able to share custody evenly. Much of the time, however, it isn’t exactly split 50/50 because of each parent’s schedule or where they reside. There may also be situations where the court deems one parent unfit to have custody and will award sole custody to the other parent. Each situation is different and therefore, it is important to discuss yours with an experienced family law attorney.
If you need strong legal representation regarding matters of divorce, family law, and estate law, contact the Law Offices of Susan A. Kassel, P.C. to schedule a consultation today.
