You are going through a divorce and you are finalizing all the paperwork. You and your spouse are both trying to secure as man assets as possible. Once that part is finished, you approach the last part of the divorce process: determining child custody. To obtain the custody of your children, you have to prove to the court that you can provide your children with the following:
- Safe living environment
- Enough time and commitment
- Normal living conditions
However, many other things and factors are taken into consideration when determining child custody. Some of them are listed below.
The Financial Status of Each Parent
One of the most important things that can have a huge impact on determining child custody is the financial status of the parents. The court will look into:
- Which parent has a higher income
- Which parent can provide the children with a better life (higher quality housing, luxuries, enough clothes, and food on the table)
- Which parent will be able to provide the children with better medical care and schooling
- Each parent’s ability to provide their children with a stable and loving environment
- Whether either of the parents provided the majority of the children’s care up to the point. The court will look to maintain consistency, and if one parent remained with the children while the other traveled occasionally (for work), that may impact the judge’s decision.
Sadly, most parents have different incomes due to the fact that one parent always sacrifices their career for the sake of raising children. The court will consider that when determining child custody. If you require legal help or representation, speak with Salt Lake City child custody attorneys and schedule your initial consultation today.
Children’s Ages and Preferences
Courts will generally prefer to maintain consistency, especially if the children are younger. Normally, most younger children require a mother to raise them. However, as the children grow older, the courts will consider alternative agreements. Also, the wishes of each child (as well as the wishes of each parent) will be taken into account. And even though it will not entirely determine who will get custody of the children, it will have a severe impact on the judge’s decision. At one point, the judge will ask you for your preference, as well as the quality of the relationship between you and your children. Everything you say then will impact the final decision. (you will, however, have to provide evidence of any kind). Highly experienced child custody attorneys in Salt Lake City advise you to obtain legal representation before you file for divorce. That way, a knowledgeable attorney will help protect your best interests, as well as navigate you through the complicated and stressful process of divorce. And once child custody comes into question, you will know exactly what to say and how to present your wishes, as well as how to prove that your relationship with your children is based on mutual love and understanding.
