When parents divorce, they must establish a child custody agreement. If they can’t reach a mutual agreement outside the courtroom, a judge will decide who gets custody of the children involved. The court will examine the child’s best interests. In most cases, parents worry that their income or overall financial stability will negatively impact their chances of being awarded custody. While the court will consider each parent’s finances when determining custody, they will also examine several other factors. If you are currently facing a child custody battle, it is in your best interest to contact a determined Pensacola Child Custody Lawyer who can help you fight for your family.
How can parents’ financial stability affect a custody battle?
Firstly, when determining child custody cases, the court prioritizes the children’s best interests. Essentially, the court looks at a child’s needs and which parent is best suited to meet those needs. This standard protects a child’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
When one parent earns significantly less or has no income, they may worry about how the court will consider this financial discrepancy when deciding custody. While parental income is considered, there are other factors the courts will consider. The following include but are not limited to some of the factors the court will consider when determining a custody arrangement:
- The age of the child
- The relationship between the child and each parent
- The mental state and physical well-being of each parent
- Each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs
- Each parent’s living situation
- Each parent’s earning capacity
- The proximity of each parent’s home to school and one another
- The wishes of the child as to which parent they want to live with (if they are the sufficient age and capacity to reason to make an intelligent decision)
- The relationship between the parents (ability to communicate and cooperate as co-parents)
- Any history of abuse
As you can see, the court will consider more than just a parent’s financial stability. However, when a parent’s income is insufficient to provide a secure and stable living environment for their children, it will affect the court’s decision, as the court will only grant custody if they can provide a safe living environment. Therefore, parental income can significantly affect whether you are granted custody.
If you are going through a divorce with children involved, you need an experienced Pensacola child custody lawyer from The Law Office of James M. Burns. Our firm is prepared to guide you through every step of the legal process and ensure your child’s best interests are safeguarded. Allow our firm to fight for you and your family today.
