Working through child custody concerns during the divorce process can be overwhelming. For parents who are facing child custody worries, understanding how child custody is determined can be helpful.
How child custody is determined in Mississippi
Every child custody determination process begins with what is in the best interests of the child. Typically, a series of child custody factors is evaluated to determine what is in the best interests of the child which can be different for each child and family.
What are some of the factors the family law court considers? Child custody factors can include:
- Maintaining consistency and continuity in the child’s family life;
- Maintaining consistency and continuity in the child’s community connections;
- Maintaining consistency and continuity in the child’s education;
- Which parent is best able to care for the emotional, developmental and physical needs of the child on a day-to-day basis and any special needs of the child;
- Which parent is able to maintain a stable, loving and nurturing relationship with the child while providing for the child’s needs; and
- Any other factors that the family law court considers relevant to determining the child’s best interests.
Generally, the child’s wishes are not considered when determining child custody in Mississippi. The focus of child custody decisions is kept on what is in the child’s best interests and what child custody arrangement will provide for the child’s safety and wellbeing. The parents are able to work out a child custody arrangement with the approval of the family law court but it must be guided by what is in the best interests of the child which is why it is important for parents to be familiar with what that means however their child custody arrangement is reached.