What is “The Best Interests of The Child”
In nearly every court where child custody is an issue or where a child’s welfare is being considered, a judge will use the standard of “best interests of the child” in crafting an order. Generally speaking, this means that the court will consider the child’s well-being as paramount over the interests of the parents.
Child custody is the typical subject where the ‘best interests of the child” standard is used. Some states, like Massachusetts, do not list specific factors that a court must consider in cases where the parents cannot decide on custody matters, while others like New Hampshire will list at least some. But even though Massachusetts is not specific so as to give the judge more discretion in interpreting the standard, a Massachusetts family court is not much different from its counterpart in New Hampshire when deciding what is in the child’s best interests.
If you have questions regarding child custody matters and reside in either Massachusetts or New Hampshire, you will need an experienced custody lawyer to give you the advice applicable to your circumstances. Contact divorce lawyer Michael F. Mimno at (978) 470-4567 for a consultation.
General Factors Used in Determining the Best Interests of the Child
Regardless if a judge’s experience and interpretation of the standard, as well as past rulings, is the guide or if a court looks to a statute for specific factors to consider, most courts are fairly uniform in what factors determine what is in the best interests of the child in making custody decisions:.
- Age of the child
- Living situation of both parents
- Resources of each parent
- Quality of the relationship a parent has had with the child
- Degree or level of cooperation a parent has with the other
- Involvement of the child in the community where he or she has been living
- Child’s preference if old or mature enough
- If a parent has engaged in abusive behavior including domestic violence
- Health of the parents
- A party’s ability to provide care and stability
Massachusetts Courts
At the initiation of a Massachusetts divorce case where children are involved, a court will ordinarily order joint legal custody of the children unless there are compelling circumstances like an abusive or alcoholic parent that dictate against it. This means that both parents share in making material decisions about the child’s education, medical, religious, moral and safety concerns.
Regarding physical custody, there is no presumption in awarding joint custody. However, the court will want to maintain the status quo such as leaving the children in the marital home and the school they are attending school as well as remaining involved in the same community.. If you have moved out of the house, are sharing a home and/or live out of the school district, it is unlikely you will receive primary physical custody.
In a divorce case, there must be a proposed parenting plan, either submitted jointly by the parents if they are in agreement on a permanent plan, or by separate and competing plans. A court is free to accept one plan over another, use provisions from either, or simply use its own.
Parenting plans do have to address:
- Visitation schedule
- Holiday and vacation schedule
- How the child is to be transported to and from each home
- How the parents will make decisions regarding the child’s education, health care, and religious matters as well as those affecting extra-curricular activities
- How the parties will resolve disputes, such as using a mediator
- The consequences if one parent violates the plan
- Manner in which modifications can be addressed and resolved
If there is evidence of abuse or violence, a court can order supervised visitation or order a parent to receive drug and alcohol counseling or anger management therapy as a condition of beginning or continuing visitation rights. Any order issued will have been in the best interests of the child.
New Hampshire Courts
Like any other court, a New Hampshire family court judge will consider any factors relevant to custody but will also examine factors that are statutorily addressed. These primarily concern health, safety, emotional and developmental needs.
For example, if a child has significant relationships with siblings, teachers, religious figures, coaches or other child providers in the community, then the court will strive to maintain them and to keep the child in that environment. If a parent is convicted of sexual assault, or a court deems that sexual misconduct by a parent on the child has occurred, then it may either order supervised visitation or prohibit that parent from any contact with the child.
New Hampshire law also allows judges to award custody to the grandparents if certain factors show that custody with them is in the child’s best interests. This may occur if the grandparents have been the primary caregivers or are better able or suited to provide stability and continuity to the child as well as his or her happiness. The parents in such cases may have mental health or drug issues, have trouble maintaining employment, or have spent little quality time with the children.
Under state law, the parents are encouraged if not obligated to remain in frequent and close contact with their children unless such contact by one parent is deemed harmful or potentially so. Like Massachusetts, New Hampshire favors joint legal custody, known as shared decision making authority, unless one parent can be shown to be unreasonable and uncooperative in working together.
A judge could award joint legal and physical custody where both parents share in making the material decisions regarding the child’s welfare and the child spends an equal or nearly equal time with each parent. Another option is awarding joint legal custody but giving primary physical custody to one parent who is to maintain the primary home while the other is granted reasonable visitation or parenting time.
Also, the court encourages the parties to formulate a joint parenting plan addressing the same issues as other state courts, including Massachusetts, does. If they are unable to agree, the court can order them to mediation to work out a settlement or the court may draft its own plan.
Consult Divorce Lawyer Michael F. Mimno
With over 30 years working with divorce clients in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, custody lawyer Michael F. Mimno has developed the insights and perspectives needed to successfully handle custody and other issues involving your children. Contact Attorney Mimno at (978) 470-4567 to discuss your custody, visitation or other divorce issues.
