There are few legal issues more contentious than child custody cases. The reason why these cases are often so highly contested is that both parents have the best interests of the child at heart, but do not agree on exactly what this is.
To further add to the mix, the court may also have its ideas on what the best interests of the child are. Ultimately, when parents cannot agree, it falls on the court to come to a ruling. How do the family courts in Connecticut define the best interests of the child?
Safety first
The family court in Connecticut does not have set rules on what the best interests of the child are. However, they do have guidelines. The priority for the court is the safety and well-being of the child.
The court will want the child’s routine to be as stable as possible. They will examine the home environment, the schooling situation and whether or not either parent has any issues that could impact safety. For instance, if either parent has a history of domestic violence, then supervised visitation may be deemed in the best interests of the child.
Specific needs of the child
The court will also consider what specific needs the child has. Every child develops differently and some children have special education or healthcare needs. The key factor that the court will consider is stability. What kind of child custody arrangement would cause the least disruption to the child? Has one parent been the primary caregiver to the child for an established period?
The best interest of the child is largely subjective. To put your points across effectively during a custody case, it will benefit you to have as much legal information as possible.