1. Chapter 14

2. Custody Custody Access Best interests of the child
Which parent the child will live with
Access
Which parent will have visitation rights
Best interests of the child
Home environment
Parent-child relationship
Parenting abilities
Emotional, mental, physical health of each parent
Support available from relatives
Parent’s and child’s schedules
Keeping siblings together
Childs wishes

3. Factors determining Custody
Family mediation agreements
Not relying on traditional roles for determining custody
Stability of home environment
Interim custody often gets permanent custody
Primary caregiver
Attending children’s events, taking to medical appointments, etc.
Separation of siblings
Seldom separated unless there is a good reason
If they are separated, often mother gets girls, father gets boys

4. Tender-years Principle
Children preferences
As children get older, their opinion is weighted carefully
8 to 13 are weighted carefully
14 and up are seriously considered
Parental Conduct
Adultery will not likely have impact on custody, compared to drug and abuse would be major factors
Religion
Custodial parent determines religion
Tender-years Principle
Mothers were better parents up until age of 6 or 7

5. Types of Access Joint Custody Types of Access
Equal time between each parent
Types of Access
Reasonable access
Non custodial parent spends nearly as much time with child as custodial parent
Specified access
Precise times spent with non custodial parent
Supervised access
Precise times spent with non custodial parent are supervised

6. Mobility Rights Mobility Rights
The right of the custodial parent to move the children to another location
Parent may want to move for marriage, job opportunity, problems with non custodial parent

7. Child Support Both parents must contribute to meet their child's needs
Child support is determined by
Non-custodial parent’s total income
The number of children to be supported
federal child support table (see figure in Text)
Other expenses may include special medical treatments, extracurricular activities, and education expenses

8. Prenuptial Agreements
Contracts