Child Custody Conflict? How the Courts Look at It

Child custody is a very important issue. It doesn’t matter if you’re legally separating, filing for divorce, or you were never married to your child’s other parent, the issue of child custody and the bests interests of your child are paramount.

Whatever your situation, if you anticipate a child custody dispute, you may not be familiar with how the family courts handle child custody conflicts. For starters, we want you to know that contrary to popular belief, neither the mother or father will automatically win child custody; it doesn’t matter what the sex and age of the children are, the courts take a neutral approach to child custody battles.

Family law courts are neutral

Not only do the family courts take a non-biased approach to child custody battles, but the courts also will not deny a parent’s right to custody or visitation because they were never married to the child’s mother or father.

Further, the courts will not deny a parent child custody or visitation because they are physically disabled, because they have a different lifestyle, different religious beliefs, or because they have a different sexual orientation.

Custody battles have no effect on child support requirements

Once the court makes a child custody order in your case, the judge will probably issue a child support order. However, bear in mind that child custody and child support are two separate issues, so one parent cannot refuse to let the non-custodial parent visit with their child if they fall behind on child support.

But it works both ways, a non-custodial parent cannot refuse to pay child support because the other parent won’t let them see their child. In this situation, the non-custodial parent should promptly go to court and ask the judge to enforce his or her parenting time.

In a child custody battle, the best interest of the child comes first

Under California law, judges award custody based on the best interests of the child. When the parents cannot agree on child custody, the judge has to decide for them. When making a decision on a child custody case, the judge carefully considers the following:

• The age and health of the child

• The age and health of each parent

• Each parent’s income and resources

• The child’s ties to family and their community

• The child’s wishes (if the child is mature enough)

• Each parent’s wishes and their reasons for wanting custody

• Each parent’s ability to provide and care for their child

• The emotional bonds between the child and each parent

• Any criminal history or history of substance abuse

• Any history of domestic violence, abandonment, and child neglect

Next: If I Get Joint Custody, Do I Still Have to Pay Child Support?

Do you need an experienced family law attorney for a child custody case? If so, we invite you to contact Cage & Miles for a free case evaluation.