One of the central concepts of a parenting plan is the best interests of the children, which is more than just a feel-good legal standard. This is the standard that makes it possible to decide how to set up everything related to the children. Decisions that are based on the best interests of the children may not always be what’s easiest for the parents, so having that distinction is important.
Several factors are considered when trying to determine what constitutes the child’s best interests. These include the child’s age, developmental needs, health, education and emotional well-being. The emotional bonds with each parent and each parent’s ability to provide a stable home are also considered.
Stability is the priority
Courts typically favor arrangements that provide the children with stability. This may include home life, schooling and already established routines. Another important factor is each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent. The court will usually view a cooperative and supportive parent as more favorable.
Some people assume that the court automatically favors mothers for these matters, but there isn’t a favored parent. The only thing the court considers is what’s best for the children based on all factors that are available.
Each situation is different when it comes to child custody, so the court may have other factors that need to be considered. Anyone who’s dealing with this type of issue should work with someone who’s familiar with these situations so they can explain the possible outcomes and what strategies are appropriate for the case.