The decisions around the care of children when a relationship breaks down can be very emotionally charged.
When a court is deciding child custody, now referred to as child arrangements, it considers a range of factors based around the child's welfare.
These include the child's wishes and feelings, physical, emotional, and educational needs, the likely effect of any change in the child's circumstances, the child's age, sex, background, and characteristics, and any risk of harm or abuse. The court also evaluates the capability of each parent to meet the child's needs.
Johanna Brewer, director of family law at Wake Smith Solicitors looks at the subject in our recent advice article, including:
- Who gets “custody” of a child in England and Wales?
- What is a child arrangements order?
- Who can apply?
- What is the priority?
- What does the order focus on?
- The Welfare Checklist
- How is parental capability assessed by the court?
- Types of Child Arrangements Orders
- What can determine an outcome?
- Can a child choose which parent to live with?
- Mediation and alternatives before court
- Your next move?