During a divorce, parents will face the important decision of how they will share time with their children. Child custody is often one of the most contested and complicated issues Nebraska parents will encounter during their divorce, and it is not always easy to determine what will be ideal for the children. As with all issues pertaining to kids, the primary concern should be maintaining a standard that is in the best interests of the child.
Whether you will negotiate the terms of your final divorce order with the other parent or you will seek your desired outcome in court, the priority will be what is optimal for the youngest members of the family. As a parent seeking a fair outcome to custody concerns, it may be helpful to understand what factors a court will consider when seeking to protect the best interests of the child.
The children are the priority
The court will seek to maintain a standard of the best interests of the child in all matters involving the kids. When determining exactly what that looks like in a specific situation, the court will take the following factors into consideration:
- Age of the child — The age of the child impacts his or her understanding, emotional development, ability to adjust and much more.
- Parenting ability — The court will look at evidence of the capability of a parent to provide a stable and loving environment for a child.
- Current routine and lifestyle — The court will take the lifestyle of the child before the divorce into account, as well as his or her school schedule, daily routine and more.
- Consistency — The courts will generally make decisions that allow the children to have as much consistency as possible in their everyday routines.
If the children are old enough, the courts may also take the preferences of the children into account when making custody decisions.
Shielding your kids
As a parent, you want what is best for your children. This means providing them with the opportunity to have a strong relationship with both parents and as much continuity of lifestyle as possible. If you are facing divorce, you may find it helpful to seek guidance regarding the ideal way to protect your parental rights while also protecting the best interests of your kids. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy for child custody, but you can seek an outcome that will provide security and stability for years to come.