The family law system provides a process to help determine child custody based on what is in the best interests of the child. It is helpful for divorcing parents to know what factors are used to determine the best interests of the child in Florida.
Florida child custody factors
Factors that are used to determine what is in the best interests of the child for the purposes of a child custody arrangement include:
- The child’s home and school history;
- The mental, physical and moral statuses of the parents;
- The permanence of the proposed home for the child;
- The continuity of the child’s situation;
- The ability of the parents to provide for the child;
- The ability of the parents to meet the child’s developmental needs;
- The existing ties and affection between the child and each parent;
- The involvement of each parent in the child’s life including with their friends, teachers and extracurricular activities;
- Whether each parent will cooperate with the other parent and encourage the child’s contact with the other parent;
- Whether each parent will be reasonable in accommodating changes that need to be made;
- Whether each parent will honor the time-sharing schedule;
- How parenting responsibilities will be shared following the child custody arrangement and if parental responsibilities will be performed by anyone else such as a caretaker; and
- Any history of domestic violence.
Make sure you are familiar with child custody factors
A child custody arrangement that is best for the child will be based on an evaluation of these factors. They will be used to develop a child custody arrangement that is best for the child’s overall well-being and safety. It is helpful for divorcing parents to be familiar with how child custody is determined and to remain focused on what is best for their child throughout the process.