{"id":351617,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/child-custody\/checklist-who-gets-custody.html"},"modified":"2023-05-30T09:48:37","modified_gmt":"2023-05-30T14:48:37","slug":"checklist-who-gets-custody","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/checklist-who-gets-custody.html","title":{"rendered":"Checklist: Who Gets Custody?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Checklist: Who Gets Custody?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Child custody is a difficult aspect of divorces. The court will consider many factors before awarding custody. This checklist can help you better understand some of these factors. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

When parents cannot agree on a custody arrangement, the court is left with a tough decision. The court will consider many factors when deciding to whom to award custody. In many cases, a consideration of the various factors results in an award of custody to the parent who has been the child’s primary caretaker.<\/p>\r\n

The following checklist can help you and your attorney establish who has been the primary caretaker in your family.<\/p>\r\n

Checklist: Who Gets Custody?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n

Who was usually or most often responsible for performing the following childcare responsibilities?<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>

Task<\/i><\/td>\r\nParent 1<\/i><\/td>\r\nParent 2<\/i><\/td>\r\nShared<\/i><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Feeding infant<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Feeding younger children<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Changing diapers<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Holding\/cuddling<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Preparing meals<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Packing lunches<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Grocery shopping<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Dressing<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Doing laundry<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Buying clothing<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Maintaining clothing<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Bathing<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Washing hair<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Styling hair<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Brushing teeth (help with or enforce)<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Putting to bed<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Reading stories, books<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Helping with homework<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to\/picking up from school<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to\/picking up from extracurricular activities<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Conferencing with teachers<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Attending school open houses<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

School volunteering<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Choosing schools<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Helping choose classes<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Attending PTA\/PTO meetings<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to\/picking up from religious services<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to\/picking up from religious classes<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to\/picking up from sports activities<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Coaching sports teams<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to\/picking up from lessons<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to\/picking up from play dates<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Arranging play dates<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Hosting play dates<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to\/picking up from birthday parties<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Hosting birthday parties<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Shopping for gifts for friends<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Shopping for gifts for the child<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Shopping for school supplies<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Shopping for toiletries<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to doctor<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to dentist<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to orthodontist<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Making doctor\/dentist appointments<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking care of the sick child<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Hiring babysitters<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Picking up\/dropping off babysitter<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Arranging daycare<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to\/picking up from daycare<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Planning holidays<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Planning vacations<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Teaching values<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Teaching manners<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Monitoring chores<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Teaching sex education<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Taking to park<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Playing with indoors<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Playing with outdoors<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Cleaning home<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Maintaining home<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Other (please list):<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>

________________________________<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

________________________________<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

________________________________<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

________________________________<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

________________________________<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

________________________________<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

________________________________<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

________________________________<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

______<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

For more information on this topic, return to FindLaw’s Who Gets Custody<\/a> section, or visit the Child Custody<\/a> section for other related topics.<\/p>\r\n

How Do Courts Decide Custody?<\/h2>\r\n

Courts decide custody using the \u201cbest interests of the child<\/a>" standard. Ultimately, the court prioritizes placing the child in a stable, safe environment. The court will consider several different relevant factors in the child custody case. Examples of the factors the court considers when deciding custody of the child include:<\/p>\r\n