How are child custody cases determined by courts?

How Do Courts Decide Child Custody Cases? Family Law Attorney Jason V. Owens explores how family court judges analyze and decide cases involving child custody and parenting time. Click here for print friendly PDF format.

When did the Supreme Court rule on child custody?

Back in 2003, the Supreme Judicial Court announced an important decision in the case of Custody of Kali (2003). In the decision, the SJC offered some rare commentary on how the “best interest of the child” standard should be applied in child custody cases, holding:

What to do if parents can’t agree on child custody?

If parents can’t agree on arrangements for children after separation, specialist family mediation services can help parents come to a mutually agreeable decision or compromise. If parents still can’t agree, a judge in a family law court will make a decision.

Can a court decide who is responsible for a child in Australia?

A court can also decide to assign parental responsibility to a legal guardian. There are no hard and fast rules about making arrangements for which parent a child will live with or spend time with after their parents separate. This used to be called making ‘custody’ or ‘contact’ arrangements. These terms are no longer used in Australian family law.

Can a long lost cousin get custody of a child?

For example, a long lost cousin who has no connection or involvement with a child probably doesn’t have standing to seek custody of the child. Alternatively, a family friend who has served as the child’s primary custodian for the last 7 years likely has sufficient legal ties to file for custody.

Is it legal for first cousins, once removed to be married?

As such, your first cousin once removed is the child (or parent) of your first cousin. With that being said, my answer remains the same and it should not be an issue to marry. FamilyAnswer, Lawyer Category: Family Law

Can a custody dispute be a difficult part of a divorce?

Custody disputes can be the most challenging part of a divorce or breakup. Both parents will want as much time as possible with their child or children. When determining custody the court will always make a decision on what is in the child’s best interest.

What happens when a parent is unfit for custody?

When determining custody the court will always make a decision on what is in the child’s best interest. No parent is perfect so little imperfections will not strip a parent of their rights, however, being an unfit parent will cause the court to reduce or limit the interaction between that parent and the child or children.