4 Common Misconceptions People Have About Child Custody
Child custody is one of the most contentious aspects of divorce. It is also one of the areas that are the most misunderstood. Many people have misconceptions about child custody which are often fueled by misinformation from friends and family in addition to the difficult to understand legal terminology. Here are 4 common misconceptions people have about child custody. We’ll also share the truth about child custody and some of truths behind some of the popular myths.
Mothers Always Get the Kids
This has an element of truth in it. In the past, children who had not yet started school were overwhelmingly given to the mother. That isn’t true anymore. Courts today are supposed to take the child’s best interests into account, and that means a percentage of children are given exclusively to the father. In most cases, parents have shared custody. Parents can choose one or the other to have primary custody, and that can be the dad. It could also be grandparents or another relative. Courts may give a non-parent custody if the parents were neglectful, abusive, physically unable to take care of the child, or are incarcerated until the child is 18.
If You Don’t Get Custody, You See the Kids Every Other Weekend
This is another misconception based on history, not current reality. If the mother got primary custody, the default visitation agreement was the father getting the kids every other weekend. Today, courts are more likely to give parents shared custody, and they decide who gets the kids when.
Note that you and your spouse can change the custody agreement if you want to give one or the other more time with the children. However, that isn’t something you should do by yourselves. Informal custody changes can be evaluated by the court, but formal modifications to child custody should be made through the courts. That’s the only way to have the court enforce it if there is a dispute later.
Someone with Criminal/Mental/Addiction Problems Can’t Get Custody
This is a complex area, and it will be evaluated by the courts on a case by case basis. We can say that prior criminal convictions, domestic violence charges, mental health problems and substance abuse have an impact. However, prior problems don’t mean that the parent is unfit to provide care now. Someone with current issues may still be allowed to visit the child though they may not be considered suitable for primary custody. If there are significant concerns, the visitation may be supervised.
Suppose the other parent isn’t allowed to visit unsupervised. It doesn’t mean you can make all the decisions yourself. There are big differences between legal and physical custody. It is very important to tell child custody differences apart, because you can get into trouble if you make decisions regarding education and medical treatment without consulting the other parent.
Children Get to Decide Where They Live
This myth arose because courts ask older children where they want to live, and they may ask younger children where they want to stay most of the time. However, the courts don’t have to do what the child requests. The child’s best interest is the guiding decision, and the child could be moved if the parent they prefer isn’t providing proper care.
Conclusion
Many people often wonder why a judge would not grant 50/50 custody. This is a common question, but the answer is not always straightforward. There are several factors that a judge considers when deciding on custody arrangements, and it's not always about the parents' wishes. If you're interested in understanding more about this topic, you can read our detailed article on why a judge might not grant 50/50 custody. It provides an in-depth look at the reasons and factors that influence such decisions.
Child custody issues are common, since more than a quarter of children have a parent living outside of the home. However, they are still misunderstood by a large portion of the population. Don’t make a mistake based on popular misconceptions and learn the truth.
More to Read:
Previous Posts:
