What factors will the court look at in determining which parent should be granted custody of the children?
The overriding consideration in awarding custody to one parent or the other is the child’s best interests. To make that determination, the court considers “all relevant factors” which includes: • The wishes of the child as to his custodian; • The interaction and interrelationship of the child with his parent or parents, his siblings and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s best interest; • The child’s adjustment to his home, school and community; • The mental and physical health of all individuals involved; • The physical violence or threat of physical violence by the child’s potential custodian, whether directed against the child or directed against another person; • The occurrence of ongoing or repeated abuse, whether directed against the child or directed against another person; and • The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the other parent and the child. In many cases, a consideration of
