Child custody is a sensitive issue for divorcing parents. Many often believe that family courts show a preference to mothers in custody disputes. Although this may have been true in the past, nowadays family courts base custody-related decisions on the best interests of the child rather than gender biases. If a judge believes it is in the best interests of a child for the father to be the custodial parent, that is what the order will reflect.
Adapting to the Changing Times
Gender roles in society used to be vastly different compared to what they are today. Fathers were primarily breadwinners and mothers typically took care of the children, which is why they were often seen as caretakers. Today, it is common for both parents to be income-earners and play equally important roles in child-rearing. The changing parenting dynamics are why family courts no longer show a bias towards either gender when it comes to child custody.
Now that preference is no longer shown toward mothers, family courts review a variety of other factors when rendering a child custody decision:
- The physical and mental health of both parents
- The needs of the child
- The preferences of each parent
- Which parent is likely to be more supportive of the other’s relationship with the child
- The nature of the child’s relationship with each parent
- The amount of conflict that exists between the parents
- How well the parents can cooperate to meet the child’s needs
- If there is a history of neglect or abuse
- The child’s wishes may be considered under certain circumstances
These are only a handful of factors a judge will review, none of which lean toward either a father or a mother. Whether you are a mother or a father, however, it would be wise to hire an experienced family law attorney to handle your case.
Speak to a Compassionate and Knowledgeable Child Custody Attorney Today!
If you are in the middle of a child custody dispute, the compassionate family law team at Crossman & McNamee, LLC can provide the guidance and advice you need to help you achieve your goals. Backed by decades of experience and a history of successful results, you can feel confident in our ability to represent you when you choose to work with us.
Reach out to our law firm today at (937) 468-3796 to set up a consultation with one of our skilled child custody attorneys to get started.
