How does a judge decide interim custody?

A judge makes decisions about custody of children on the basis of a test called "the best interests of the child". This means the judge will consider all of the factors that affect a child's life such as

• the child's relationships with his parents,
• where the child lives and goes to school,
• who he plays with, and
• his extracurricular activities and sports, and
• how all these things could be disrupted as little as possible, as well as
• many other factors.

After considering all of this, the judge makes a decision that she thinks will be in the child's best interests.

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July 2006

see also:

• More Custody FAQs
• More Divorce FAQs

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