Judges will evaluate various “best interest” factors to determine an effective child custody arrangement. Those factors include, but are not limited to:

  • The parent’s ability and willingness to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care, and other needs.
  • The parent’s ability to care for the child’s safety, wellbeing, and physical, mental, and emotional health
  • The current and future mental and physical health needs are the child
  • The mental, physical, and emotional health of the parent
  • The presence of domestic violence or neglect
  • The relationship between the child and their current custodian
  • The child’s ability to form a significant relationship with the parent
  • The child’s preferences (if a judge finds them fit to express their preferences)