Receiving Custody of Your Children in Utah
One of the biggest issues when a couple gets divorced, and rightfully so, is who is going to get custody of the children? The courts look at a number of factors, but when it’s all said and done a Judge will want to do what is best for the children. There are several factors that play a big part in a Judge’s decision to grant custody to a particular parent.
A Judge is more likely to grant custody to a parent that can provide a stable and secure environment for the children. If a parent can show that he or she can provide a safe and secure living environment then the court will be much more likely to grant custody to that parent.
Courts are also interested in keeping children in familiar surroundings. In other words, if a parent can keep his or her children in a situation that his familiar to them, such as allowing the children to stay in the same neighborhood, school district, and/or church, then the court will have one more reason to grant custody to that parent.
In addition, since the court is seeking a stable environment for the child, the last thing the Judge wants to hear is that a parent is cohabitating with a boyfriend or girlfriend before the divorce has even gone through. The court wants to know that a parent’s primary concern is his or her children and not a romantic relationship. Other things a parent can do to show the court that the needs of the child are the priority is to arrange his or her work schedule to fit a child’s routine, get a stable job, leave the child out of the custody value, etc. These actions will increase the likelihood that a parent will get custody of his or her children.
Another big factor courts look at when determining who should receive custody of a child is which parent will facilitate the opposing party’s custody as much as possible. More than likely the parent that does not have primary custody will still have custodial rights, including visitation. If the court believes that a particular parent will purposely make it very difficult for the non-custodial parent to see the children, then the court may be hesitant to grant primary custody to that parent.
Utah Custody Attorney
The best thing you can do to receive custody of your children is to hire an attorney that has the knowledge and experience to help guide you through the difficulties and complexities that come with going through a divorce, particularly when minor children are involved. Give us a call at 801.413.1753 for a free consultation.
