West Palm Beach Child Custody Lawyer

The Child’s Say in Custody

Custody battles can be a very difficult time in anyone’s life. It is important to remember, however, that in every custody case, the court will attempt to do what is best for the child or children. Because of this, the courts will often ask the child which parent he or she would prefer to live with.

The entire case cannot be determined by the child’s decision, however. This is only a part of everything that the court will take into account when trying to determine custody. In addition to the child’s say, the courts will look at the parents. There are a lot of important factors that the courts will look for, including:

• Financial stability
• History of domestic violence, if any
• Mental and physical fitness

If the child is old enough, however, the court may weigh his or her opinion heavily. This is because the child generally knows on some level which parent will be able to better provide for him or her. When placed in this situation, the child will often choose the parent who is the primary caregiver and can offer financial and emotional stability.

If the court believes that the child is capable of making solid input to child custody proceedings, this can be a large part of determining who gets custody. However, it is important to remember that while a child’s wishes can sway a case, they cannot make the case.

Contact Us

If you are going through a custody battle, contact the West Palm Beach child custody lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. at 561-353-2800.