Sometimes, divorcing parents can work together to resolve their issues. They find a fair and reasonable way to divide the time they spend with their children and the responsibilities of providing for them on a daily basis.
Other times, parents simply can’t reach a mutually agreeable solution. One parent may want far more parenting time than the other or might demand unrealistic concessions. When parents can’t create their own custody agreement, they will need to litigate the issues and ask a judge to decide custody matters.
If you have to go to court to litigate the custody issues in your divorce, how will the Louisiana family law judge make those major decisions?
The focus is on what the kids need, not what the parents want
All too often, parents focus on their own wishes and preferences rather than what would be best for the children in the family. Louisiana family law judges must always prioritize the best interests of the children when making custody decisions.
They should look at family factors ranging from the financial stability of both parents and the role each parent has played in the children’s lives so far. There is usually a presumption that shared custody would be the best solution, although situations involving abuse, addiction or severely unstable circumstances could lead to one parent getting sole custody and the other only having visitation rights.
After looking at information regarding the family’s current circumstances, a judge will make their final custody decisions based on what they think will be best for the children. Understanding the factors that influence custody decisions in contested Louisiana divorces can help you strategize for your upcoming divorce.