What factors are relevant in determining child custody?
The best interest of the child govern. That is determined by considering the following factors: • the parents’ wishes; • the child’s wishes; • the relationships between parents and child; • the child’s relationship to home, school, and community; • the physical health of all; • physical violence or the threat thereof; • the ability of the parents to cooperate; • the residential circumstances of each parent. As a practical matter, if, and only if, the parents agree, joint child custody may be granted.
