By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed July 24, 2023
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In an ideal world, divorcing or separating parents would be able to set aside their differences to decide on the best child custody option. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way. The family court must decide in the best interests of the child.
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding who gets child custody.
A: The parents and the court. If you and your ex can't come to a mutual custody agreement, the court will step in. The family court may need to approve or modify the agreement. This may happen regardless of the parents' agreement. If parents cannot reach an agreement themselves, most courts will require that they attempt to negotiate an agreement. This will usually occur through mediation, with input from their attorneys. If the parents still are unable to reach an agreement, then the court will make a custody decision, usually a family court judge.
Ultimately, the court will issue the final child custody orders. These orders will detail who has legal custody and physical custody of the child. The parent with legal custody is responsible for decision-making. The parent with physical custody is with whom the child lives.
A: The child's "best interest" is the most important custody concern. The family court judge will consider a wide range of factors. Ultimately, this standard helps ensure the child's safety and well-being. Examples of relevant factors include:
Most courts find that awarding joint custody is in the best interests of the child. This is an arrangement where parents share parenting time and collaborate on major decisions. They share parental responsibility for their child.
If a court finds that one parent is “unfit," the other parent may get full custody or sole custody of the child. This parent will be the “custodial parent," while the other parent is the “non-custodial parent." The court may order the non-custodial parent to pay child support.
If the child is old enough, the judge may consider the child's preference in a custody decision. Of course, actual court practices can vary.
In Utah, for example, the statute specifically allows a judge to ask a child's preference. If the minor child is over age 14, the judge will give greater weight to their preference. But the child's preference is not the controlling factor. In Florida, there is no minimum age for considering a child's wishes to decide custody.
American society has responded to changes in the roles of men and women. The laws have changed too. In many, if not most states, there is no legal basis for bias against unwed fathers. Such a bias would discriminate against a child's right to a relationship with their father.
Utah, for example, has adopted the Uniform Parentage Act, which provides that: "A child born to parents who are not married to each other, whose paternity has been determined under this chapter, has the same rights under the law as a child born to parents who are married to each other."
The real issue to overcome in this situation with an infant child is to show that you, not the mother, are the primary caretaker. This is particularly so if the child is nursing. If the mother is a good parent and the primary caretaker, it's going to be difficult for a father to win custody, regardless of marital status. Even if you can't get physical custody of your child, you should be able to obtain shared legal custody. This will give you the right to make important decisions about your child's upbringing and welfare.
That said, you may be able to get physical custody. You can establish that your child's mother is unfit for parenthood or incapable of caring for them. You can also show that you are the child's "primary caretaker." In any case, an unmarried father can take steps to secure some form of child custody or visitation rights to ensure he has an ongoing relationship with his child.
A: Yes. It's rare, but it can happen. Some states label this situation as "non-parental" or "third-party" custody. Other states refer to these situations as "guardianship" rather than custody.
In cases where the parents are unable to meet their parental obligations, someone other than a child's parents can obtain custody. This may include military duty outside of the country, incarceration, or illness. They must still go to court and get a custody order. Most often this is a relative: grandparents, siblings, aunts, and uncles. It could also be a close family friend.
A: An experienced family law attorney can not only answer questions about your child custody case but be your strongest advocate in court. The best way to get started is to find a family law attorney with experience handling child custody disputes. These attorneys can help fight for your parental rights in the parenting plan. They can help you get a final court order for your child custody dispute.
Getting child custody can be a long and emotionally-taxing process. Navigating the family court is already hard. An experienced child custody attorney can help you tremendously during this process. They can provide you with valuable legal advice and help argue for your parental rights in your custody arrangement. They will help you interpret the child custody laws of your state.
Talk to a child custody lawyer today.
Contact a qualified child custody attorney to make sure your rights are protected.
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