Child Custody – Best Interests of the Child

When child custody is in dispute in Texas, the law always encourages parents to make their own parenting plan or arrange custody so that the parents can create a plan best suited to their families’ needs. When this is not possible, the court will need to make its own determination on custody. To do this, they consider the best interests of the child.

Best interests of the child is a legal term that indicates that the court should make every custody decision in light of what is best for the child. The court doesn’t make its decision based on what a parent wants, or even based on who is at fault for the divorce or separation. Instead, the court focuses on what is right for the child and on what custody arrangement will provide the child with the most supportive, stable, and loving home environment.

The court considers a number of factors to determine what is in the best interests of the child. The court will typically look at what parent or parent(s) have been providing primary care for the child, as it may be best for the child to stay with that parent to avoid an interruption in his or her routine. The court can consider which parent will provide the best access to extended family and the most financial and emotional support and structure in the home environment.

Typically, the court will consider it in the best interests of the child to maintain a relationship with both his mother and father, so the court will likely award sole custody only in situations in which there is a compelling reason for it. Otherwise, the court normally uses the best interests of the child standard to determine how custody should be decided among the parents. A Dallas child custody attorney can help if you are involved in a divorce case to convince the court that time spent with you is in the best interests of the child.

To learn more about how a Dallas child custody attorney can assist you in a child custody dispute, contact Warren & Migliaccio, L.L.P. today at 1-888-584-9614. Warren & Migliaccio, L.L.P offers quality legal services and counseling to clients in the North Dallas area. Warren & Migliaccio, L.L.P. practices law in Dallas, Collin, Rockwall, and Hunt Counties.