What Factors Determine the Childs “Best Interest”?
Although the “best interest” standard can be hard to define in some situations, some factors are common in “best interest” analyses in most custody situations: • Wishes of the child (if old enough to capably express a reasonable preference); • Mental and physical health of the parents; • Religion and/or cultural considerations; • Need for continuation of stable home environment; • Support and opportunity for interaction with members of extended family of either parent; • Interaction and interrelationship with other members of household; • Adjustment to school and community; • Age and sex of child; • Parental use of excessive discipline or emotional abuse; and • Evidence of parental drug, alcohol or sex abuse.
