WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE CONNECTICUT CHILD CUSTODY?

When you divorce, the living situation for your children becomes your primary concern. As in most states, Connecticut family law courts make a determination based on the child’s best interests.

Review the factors that affect child custody in Connecticut.

The child custody process
Connecticut presumes that in most cases, joint custody best supports the child’s physical and emotional welfare. If you and your spouse can agree on a joint custody arrangement, the court will review it to make sure it serves the best interests of your child. If you cannot agree, you can ask the court to decide during your divorce proceedings.

Joint legal custody gives you both the right to make important decisions that affect your child. Joint physical custody describes a situation in which the child spends a significant amount of time in each parent’s home.

Factors in custody decisions
If your custody case goes to court, the judge may use these factors to make a custody determination:

• Your ability to coparent with one another effectively
• Each parent’s willingness to support a relationship between the other parent and your child
• Your child’s individual needs, including special education and health needs where applicable
• The child’s current relationship and bond with each of you
• Each parent’s mental and physical health status
• Your wishes for custody and the wishes of your former spouse
• The stability of each parent’s living situation
• Your child’s wishes if he or she is at least 12

When you create your own joint custody schedule, you can benefit from flexibility. Otherwise, the court may impose a schedule that does not work for your family’s needs.