During the divorce process, one of your top concerns may involve the custody of your children. Many components go into child custody decisions, but the primary goal in custody determinations according to family courts always centers on the โbest interest of the child.โ There are many elements that play into this standard, but the court usually attempts to award joint physical and legal custody to both parents, to allow a continued connection in both parent-child relationships. Only in extreme cases will one parent be given sole physical or legal custody of the child, but after reviewing the circumstances of the child and each parentโs capacity to parent, a custody decision will be based on what will ultimately be in the best interest of the child. If you are concerned about how the best interest of the child standard may impact your parental custody rights, consider visiting with the experienced family law attorneys at Johnson Law Group at (720) 463-4333, or through Text-to-Chat at (720) 730-4558 today.
Focusing on the childโs best interest means that decisions made regarding custody and visitation have the ultimate goal of the childโs happiness, security, and emotional and mental development into young adulthood. Other factors involved in determining a childโs best interest include his or her care, protection, safety, as well as the childโs specific academic, emotional, or physical needs.
Usually, it is in the childโs best interest to safeguard a close and loving relationship with both parents, but this is often difficult to achieve when it comes to custody arrangements. In any custody dispute, it is critical to make your focus always in the best interest of the child. The choices made now, by you or by the court, will affect your childโs life in many ways. Whatever is decided will affect their development as well as their long-term relationship with you.
While the term โbest interest of the childโ may seem somewhat subjective, there are several factors that a court may consider when making a decision involving parental custody and visitation rights. In custody decisions, the court may weigh many of the following considerations.
While every parent may love their child, they may not be able to provide the best environment for them. Consider the following questions:
Safety is a priority for all children, and the Colorado courts take this very seriously. Consider the following questions:
Routine and consistency are important for any childโs life. Consider the following questions:
It is important to note that the court will not simply weigh one or two factors, but the judge will attempt to see the whole picture in light of the childโs best interests. Their determination is formulated after considering a multitude of questions related to the childโs circumstances and the parentsโ capacity to provide a safe and happy home. If you have any questions regarding how these factors may impact your parental rights, contact the experienced family lawyers at Johnson Law Group to learn more.
A parent involved in a custody situation has the ongoing opportunity to show to the court that his or her childโs best interests are a top priority.ย Demonstrating that you are actively involved in the childโs life and that you provide attentive, loving care is crucial. Staying involved in your childโs activities and education are important, as well as showing that you have the ability to nurture your child through the parenting decisions you make. The court looks approvingly on a parent who supports the other parentโs involvement as well, so improving communication and rebuilding trust with your ex-spouse can be an important part in building a strong custody arrangement.
Going through a divorce and a custody conflict can be a frustrating or scary situation. Having an experienced divorce attorney as an advocate can ensure that your legal rights are protected regarding your children. Contact the experienced divorce attorneys at Johnson Law Group at (720) 463-4333, or through Text-to-Chat at (720) 730-4558 today. You can also visit us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss your unique situation. We look forward to learning more about you and helping you and your child during this challenging time.
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