Child custody is considered one of the most vital determinations that courts usually have to make when it comes to Chicago divorce lawyer cases. Child-care laws can be very complicated, and state laws in this matter can differ depending on the jurisdiction. Determining the rights over the child or children needs to be done carefully because these types of decisions can have a big impact on kids that last for a long time.
When determining rights, the law usually places the child’s interest, as well as the background before the personal preferences of the parents. It is known as the child’s best interest standard. It is the leading standard for cases related to custody. It means that the court will only make decisions if it benefits the children.
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That is why, if the parent is considering how to get the guardianship of their children, or how to become the sole custodian, they need to prioritize the kid’s best interests since it is what the judicature will do during the hearing. The care of children is a critical determination. The more both parents understand guardianship rights, the more efficient and smooth sailing the process will be.
Factors guardians need to consider when it comes to guardianship
When it comes to determining the care of a kid in a family judicature setting, the court will consider different factors that can affect the children’s well-being. These factors will be fair against the child’s best interest standards, to make sure that decisions don’t harm or affect (in a negative way) child in any way. Some factors used by the court in a legal separation or a divorce context may include:
The history of interactions and relationship of both parents with the child
Whether one of the parents has been the main caretaker of the kid
Children’s background, as well as their adjustment to their new neighbors, school, and home
The physical and mental health of the children, as well as their parents
Whether the kids have specific medical, health, and emotional or psychological needs
The parents’ wishes (if guardians agree to certain arrangements, courts will choose the arrangement)
The children’s wishes (if parents can’t agree on arrangements, the court will give a substantial weight on the child’s preferences)
The overall liking of children, especially if they are at a certain age (the age differs by state)
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So, for example, if children have a particular medical need, courts will factor this into their decision of the custody case. One of the parents might be familiar with their kids’ particular needs; that is why the court may grant them more rights than the other party.
Factors that the judicature can’t use when it comes to deciding child guardianship cases
In determining the guardianship of the child, there are certain factors that the court cannot use. These may be because of other related laws like discrimination laws that help interacts with laws and needs to be followed.
That is why both parties need the help of firms like the Caldwell child custody firm to know certain provisions and laws regarding this matter. Some of these factors that the court cannot use in determining the guardianship of a kid include:
Race
Courts usually cannot form guardianship determinations based on whether one of the parents is of a certain race or dating a person belonging to a particular race. Racial background is usually not used in decisions of these cases, unless it shows that race consideration will benefit the kids.
Religion
The judicature is usually not allowed to base their arrangements based on religious preferences or issues. There may be certain exceptions in certain cases where kids are being placed in danger or harmed by specific religious practices.
Gender
Family courts usually awarded care (or the majority of the care) to the mother, because it was assumed that mothers were the primary caretaker for the kids. But it changed in modern times, and the court now focuses on broader sets of factors to determine guardianship and custodial parent arrangements.
Disability
Just because one of the parents has a disability that was legally-recognized by the law does not prevent them from getting the guardianship of their children. Instead, the court will look to whether their disability will prevent them from performing parental duties to their children if they were granted sole custody.
Is the court usually award the care of the kid to the mother?
As mentioned above, the judicature in the past was more likely to assign the guardianship or the majority of the mother’s rights. It was presumed that mothers would be more suited to take care of their children. It was usually based on stereotypes and societal notions that existed in the past.
But these notions have been mainly dismissed by the court in all jurisdictions. Instead, each parent’s custody rights will be carefully examined in great detail, depending on the case. It means that the court will look at the case individually to determine the ideal arrangement based on the children’s best interest. It is not necessarily on pre-conceived notions that particular gender can raise the kids more effectively.
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Child custody agreements
During the course of the proceedings, courts will arrive at a formal agreement. This agreement outlines different guidelines for the arrangement, including which parent has the sole or primary custody, whether visitation is involved, as well as other essential matters.
As mentioned, if both parents can create agreements on their own, the judicature will honor the arrangement that they created, so long as it will be on the kid or children’s best interest. If they cannot come up with an arrangement, courts will intervene to help both parties to arrive at a balanced and suitable arrangement.
