How does the court decide on a custody arrangement?

When it comes to deciding on a custody arrangement in Washington, the court looks at several factors to determine what is in the best interests of the child. The court will consider the emotional relationship between the child and each parent, the physical and emotional needs of the child, the lifestyle of each parent, the effect that the child’s current environment has on their development, and the wishes of each parent. The court’s goal is to formulate a custody arrangement that takes into account the physical and emotional needs of the child and both parents. In most cases, the court prefers that both parents have some form of physical custody and legal custody of the child, meaning that one parent may get primary physical custody, while the other parent may get shared custody or visitation rights. The court may also appoint a guardian ad litem or domestic relations investigator to develop a custody report, which is a detailed report on the parents, the child’s relationships with each parent, and their individual physical and emotional needs. The guardian ad litem or domestic relations investigator will also consider any history of domestic violence in the relationship between the parents, the stability of the proposed home environment, and any other relevant factors that may affect the best interests of the child. After considering all of the evidence, the court will then decide on a custody arrangement. The court will form an order that outlines each parent’s rights and responsibilities, whether the custody arrangement is sole custody or joint custody, and the details of the visitation rights.

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How does the court decide on a custody arrangement?

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