Child Custody Checklist
Earlier this week, I was preparing my client for what is bound to be a rough custody dispute. The first exercise I suggested that she consider was to create a chart to rate herself and her spouse in the areas listed below. How to score: Give yourself one point for each of the factors where you "over-achieve" and give your spouse a point if he or she is the over-achiever. In factor number three award two points to the over-achiever. Factor number ten earns two points if the average age of the children is over ten and three points if they are over fifteen. Here are the factors:
- Love, affection and emotional nurturing
- Capacity of the parties to give children love, affection, and guidance.
- Length of time children have lived in a stable environment.
- Each parent's ability to provide food, clothing, and medical care.
- Permanence as a family unit of the existing (or proposed) custodial home.
- Moral fitness and overall values
- Physical, emotional and mental health
- Home, school, community setting
- Parent's willingness and/or ability to foster a working relationship with the other parent.
- Preference of the minor children.
