Custody is often one of the most contested matters in a divorce. There are two different options when it comes to awarding a custody arrangement. Joint custody allows both parents to share parenting time. One parent may have more time than the other because of the way all of the timing works out. In some cases, one parent is determined to be unfit to be a parent. However, the court will have to take a number of factors into consideration when it comes to determining a custody arrangement.

Some of the factors that are considered in determining a custody award include:

• The child’s age
• Which parent has been the primary caregiver for the child until this point
• The quality of each parent’s home
• The quality of life that each parent can provide for the child
• If the child is older, they may be able to submit their opinions based on which parent they would prefer to live with
• Each parent’s history of domestic violence or substance abuse issues
• The physical, emotional, and financial needs of the child
• The physical and mental health of each parent
• The age of each parent
• The earning ability of each parent

If you are facing a custody matter, contact our firm today to discuss your concerns.

Robert Pollack is an experienced divorce and family law attorney in Long Island, New York. Contact The Pollack Law Firm, P.C., to set up a free initial consultation if you need strong legal representation for a divorce or family law matter.