How does the court decide who gets custody of a child?

In Virginia, child custody is typically decided on a case-by-case basis. When determining custody, the court considers many factors in deciding what is in the child’s best interest. This is often referred to as the “best interest of the child” standard. Some of the factors the court considers include the age, health and development of the child, the ability of each parent to provide a safe and stable home, the emotional relationship between the parent and the child, and each parent’s ability to care for the child. In some cases, the court may even order the parents to take part in a custody evaluation to determine which parent is best able to provide appropriate care for the child. A custody evaluation typically includes interviews with both parents, the child, and anyone else who may know the family. The evaluator then prepares a report that is given to the court. The court will typically consider all of the relevant factors when deciding who gets custody of the child. The decision is made based on what the court believes is in the best interest of the child. In some cases, the court may award joint custody to both parents, whereas in others, only one parent may have custody.

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How does the court decide who gets custody of a child?

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