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How child custody is determined in Massachusetts

On Behalf of | Aug 27, 2020 | Firm News

A lot of confusion surrounds child custody determinations. Parents involved in the middle of a divorce may not even know what to expect from the process’s child custody portion. How does the court system in Pennsylvania decide the custody arrangement?

Like any other area of a divorce, each state has its legal specifications about divorce. Understanding what Massachusetts judges consider during custody decisions can help you build your case to keep your children with you after divorce.

Massachusetts factors

These courtrooms’ goal is to decide the children’s best interest and create a custody plan that best upholds it. The factors that contribute to the well-being of children include their physical, emotional, and developmental situations.

A judge looks at both spouses and considers what they can offer their children in these ways, such as:

  • Possible relocation and distance of relocation
  • The children’s relationship with each parent
  • Each parent’s ability to provide for the children
  • The children’s personal preference

Of everything that a judge weighs in their decision, the gender of the parents is not one of them. No law dictates that the mother will automatically gain majority custody of the children. Courts remain impartial and look at the specific details of each unique divorce.

When parents know what a judge looks for, they are more capable of presenting their most substantial cast for the custody agreement they are looking for. Divorce lawyers can also help develop your strongest possible case for earning your desired outcome in custody agreements.

Prepare your case

When parents are fighting to keep their children with them, they cannot assume the outcome of their case is predetermined. The information a parent brings to a courtroom to show how they can best uphold their children’s best wishes can make all the difference in their case.