Information Regarding Child Custody Assessment Tools

By Michael McDonald


Nearly all courts use a standard procedure while deciding the child custody. The procedure always has the childs best interests when deciding who among the parents the child will live with. Sometimes, a court can order both parents to undergo a drug test and if one disagrees, the consequences can be harsh. With some child custody assessment tools, the judge decides which environment is best for the kid no matter what.

There have been questions of whether custody can only be awarded to one parent. It can be awarded to both parents and its called partial custody or in most cases, joint custody. Physical joint custody is when they get to have equal time with the kids. Legal joint custody is when both parents are responsible for deciding about matters concerning the kids. Sometimes its both custodies.

In a custody battle, are mothers favored than fathers? In the past, this was the case. Mothers were the custodians of children below five years. Of late, most states are fair in their ruling. Both parents have a fair chance as their capability to take care of the children is considered. The parent that has the childrens best interests will win despite the gender.

There are instances when one parent moves out and leaves the children with the other parent. This will hurt the chances of the parent who moved out to get custody of the children. This is because he has already sent out a message that he is not suitable for physical custody. The judge will also be reluctant to change the physical location of the kids.

A parents routine will also determine if he/she can get custody or not. A parent that smokes and consumes alcohol is considered unsuitable to live with these children since their health will be at risk. This is not the best environment for any child. Other social factors will also be considered. A judge will not grant custody to a parent who has been accused of child abuse before.

To be able to live with your child, there are a lot of requirements you have to fulfill as a parent. You should be living in a fixed location so that you do not have to change your kids to be living in an environment they are not familiar with. You have to provide for the kids the basics like food, clothes and medical care. Your emotional bond with the kids has to be strong.

Is the sexual orientation of the guardian likely to deter one from getting custody? This decision varies from state to state. Some states do not consider a persons sexuality a hindrance to living with the kids or visiting them. In others, the judge has to consider the stigmatization of these youngsters in case the children ends up with their gay parent.

In case all factors does not favor one parent over the other, the court will prefer to give custody to the parent who will most likely foster a good relationship between the other parent and their children. The parent has to be able to provide a stable environment as the child is used to and is the childs primary caregiver for the younger children.




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