Custody hearings can be an uncomfortably tense procedure for parents, children, and all other affected parties alike. Typically, child custody cases are one of the most complicated matters in family law. Emotions usually run at a high volume, and the calculated outcome has a significant impact on the livelihoods and futures of those involved.

Paternity Tests

There are a handful of unique issues parents may encounter during custody proceedings. For example, mothers have the right to request a paternity test for someone who is claiming to be the father of their child. This mandate is in place to protect authenticity because, without paternity, the court cannot legally order custody, child support, or parenting time for a father or from a father. However, once a paternity determination is made, the court can consider legal and physical custody and parenting time for the father. 

Infants and Newborns

During the early days of a newborn’s life, it is often best that the child spends more time with their mother – especially if the child is breastfeeding. Otherwise, the baby may not receive their vital nourishment and proper nutritional consistency. 

For Infants, familiarity is a definite requirement. If a couple is separated, they must maintain consistent transitions between houses; otherwise, it can be highly stressful for a newborn. It is even more critical to maintain consistency if a child has already formed a primary attachment to their mother. Child support is designed to help hardworking mothers and protect the safety, health, and security of their children. 

Finances

Money doesn’t buy love; therefore, it can’t buy you custody of your children. So while a financially stable household is ideal, it isn’t the final deciding factor in a custody case. In Colorado, on average, a working woman makes .84 cents for every dollar that a working man makes. Over the course of a year, this is an $8,058 difference. Courts are aware of this, and that is why finances aren’t the only deciding factor. 

However, custody cases are designed to put children in the best position for success, and sometimes kids will have better opportunities with one parent than with the other.