b”Columbia Family Law Attorney Discusses How Custody is Decided
You may think that having your child live with you is the best choice, but a judge may see differently. Most parents want to have either sole or shared physical custody of their children, but that doesn’t always happen. A Columbia family law attorney knows how the court system determines who receives custody and can advise you on the process.
The Character of the Parent
As you may guess, a large role in who the child resides with depends upon a parent’s character. The court will look at the fitness of the parent, as well as the reputation of the parent and where he or she resides. It will also examine if the parent has ever given up custody of the child and if there is already an agreement between the two parents about custody. Having a Howard County divorce lawyer on your side during this process may increase your chances of getting the decision you want.
The Child
The court will also take certain aspects of the child into consideration. The age and gender of the child can play a role in who he will reside with, as does the preference of the child, if he is old enough to make that decision. The parent who can also provide for the child’s present and future needs is also looked at.”