How does the court decide on a custody arrangement?
When the court makes a decision about a custody arrangement in West Virginia, it considers the best interests of the child involved. The court will also take into account the wishes of the parents, as well as the health, safety, and welfare of the child. In order to make a decision, the court will look at a variety of factors, such as the ability of the parents to provide for the child’s needs, the relationship between the parents and the child, and any special needs the child may have. The court will also review the amount of contact each parent has had with the child. This includes who has been responsible for the child’s physical care and emotional support. In some cases, a guardian ad litem may be appointed to represent the child’s best interests and provide information to the court. When making its decision, the court may decide that sole or shared legal custody is in the child’s best interests. With sole legal custody, one parent has the responsibility for making decisions about the child’s welfare, while the other parent will still have the right to access records and provide input. With shared legal custody, both parents have an equal say in the decisions about their child. The court will also decide who will have physical custody of the child – this parent will be responsible for the daily care of the child. Ultimately, the court’s goal is to create a custody arrangement that is in the best interests of the child.
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