Financial issues in Fairfax child custody cases are less common in terms of custodial disputes. However, if one parent is financially irresponsible in a way that could impact their living situation, for example, that would be something a court would take into account.
For example, if a parent who wants primary custody has major debt-related issues and is in danger of losing their home, the court is likely not going to be comfortable awarding that parent primary custody. If, financially speaking, something should happen to cause that parent to lose their home, the children would be displaced as well. Consult with an experienced child custody lawyer who can provide more knowledge.
Finances and Best Interest of Child
There are a number of factors that the court is required to consider when making any kind of determination related to custody or visitation. There is a factor that the court is required to consider relating to the ability of a parent to assess and meet the needs of the child. For example, if financial issues in a Fairfax child custody case that are so severe that it would impact that parent’s ability to meet the needs of the child, it can be considered in court.
The legislature states that the court must consider other factors as the court deems necessary and proper for the determination of custody. Financial considerations could go into there. However, it is unusual for financial issues to be so severe that a court takes them into consideration in determining the best interest of the child and custody.
Avoiding Financial Issues
There may not be a way to avoid the emotions of financial issues in Fairfax child custody cases, but the best thing that two people in a position of having to divide up custody can do is to try to cooperate and to consider mediation. Mediation is a process where two parties discuss their goals and concerns and try to work cooperatively towards a compromise. If two people are able to resolve by agreement custody visitation issues the first time around, those same two people are much more likely in the future to be able to settle any future custody disputes by agreements, as well.
Advice for Parents
The number one piece of advice is to remember that child custody issues are about the children and not about the parent. The court is not concerned about what is convenient for a mother or for a father. The court is concerned about what is best for the child. These are concepts that seem simple, but often get lost in the context of custody litigation.
Role of Child Custody Lawyer
A custody attorney will know the factors the court will consider in terms of financial issues in a child custody case in Fairfax. A lawyer will be well-versed in how those factors are applied to cases. The attorney will be able to provide advice as to how to navigate co-parenting issues, particularly while a case is pending. Also, a custody attorney will be best able to make an argument at trial and put forth the facts in a case to try to get a person the result that they want. While nothing is guaranteed, parties typically do get more satisfactory results in custody cases when they have counsel.
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