(910) 769-7339
blog, child-custody
September 28, 2020
R. Clarke Speaks

How Do The Courts Decide Who Gets Custody of a Child After a Divorce in Wilmington, NC?

Call (910) 769-7339
Read Full Post

The divorce process can be emotionally and physically taxing. It often involves lengthy negotiations about crucial matters such as alimony, property distribution, and child custody. Are you going through a divorce and worried about your custody rights? Contact Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division to discuss your case with an expert Wilmington Divorce Attorney.

If a divorcing couple has children, they have to discuss child custody during the divorce negotiations. Some couples will usually reach an agreement and set up a parenting plan. Others, however, could fail to agree, forcing the courts to step in.

In this article, we answer the question, how do courts decide who gets custody of a child?

Types of Custody in North Carolina

How Do Courts Decide Who Gets Custody of a Child in Wilmington, North Carolina? | Speaks Family LawParents in North Carolina can share joint custody, or one parent could hold sole custody of a child. Essentially, the custody could be physical or legal:

  • Physical custody – A parent with physical custody gets to live with the child. If both parents have physical custody, the child will live with both parents at different alternating times.
  • Legal custody – If you have legal custody of a child, you can make major decisions on their behalf. This includes matters such as health, religion, and education.

The Child’s Best Interests

When parents are unable to reach a custodial agreement, the courts will take over. Decisions made by a judge concerning child custody are usually based on the child’s best interest. Using this standard, the judge will consider factors such as the:

  • Ability and willingness of each parent to live with the child
  • Parents’ living arrangements
  • Parents’ wishes regarding child custody
  • Parents’ willingness to foster a relationship between the other parent and the child
  • Parent’s mental and physical health
  • Parents’ history of domestic violence, if any
  • Child’s health, age, and overall needs
  • Child’s need for adjustment to a new school, home, and community
  • If the child has reached the appropriate age, their preference

The Child’s Safety

How Do Courts Decide Who Gets Custody of a Child in Wilmington, North Carolina? | Speaks Family LawA judge may not award physical custody to a parent with a history of domestic violence. This is unless they are confident the child is safe with that parent. Most times, the parent will be granted visitation rights, which will only be executed in the presence of a designated third party. The court will also evaluate each parent’s lifestyle. Opposing parties could try to substantiate any history of drug abuse, alcoholism, or other criminal activities. When this happens, child protective services may investigate the allegations and report back to the judge.

  • If both parents are found to be good and stable, the court could consider the child's preference. Simply put, this is a child who can form a rational and intelligent preference in custody.

Talk to a Wilmington Divorce Attorney Today

How Do Courts Decide Who Gets Custody of a Child in Wilmington, North Carolina? | Speaks Family LawChild custody in North Carolina is defined and regulated under State Code Section 50-11.2 and State Code 50-13.1. Essentially, all decisions concerning legal or physical custody of a child should be based on the child's best interest. It is not uncommon, however, for parents to disagree with court decisions.

At Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division, we specialized in family law matters such as child custody. We can help you understand your rights as a parent and protect those of your child. If you are facing a child custody battle, contact our offices to speak to a Wilmington Divorce Attorney.

Copyright © 2023. Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division. All Rights Reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division
300 N. 3rd St. Suite 310
Wilmington, NC 28401

(910) 769-7339https://speaksfamilylaw.com/

Related Services

Questions or Schedule An Appointment?

Call (910) 769-7339

Hours of Operations

Open: Mon - Fri: 8:30AM - 5:30PM

We focus on each case like it is our only case. We thrive on finding creative, comprehensive and effective ways to exceed client expectations. We adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct.
© Copyrights 2024. Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division. All Rights Reserved.

This website and the information contained here within is provided by Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division as a service to clients and friends. It is not intended to be a solicitation or to render legal advice. Contained in the website is information about legal issues and legal developments. Content provided is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. The content is not intended, and should not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. You should contact an attorney for advice on specific legal problems.

Use of this website or the information provided by this website, including contacting one of our attorneys, does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the firm. Prior to the acceptance of a new client or matter, the firm must conduct a search for possible conflicts of interest (already representing another party involved in the matter), and obtain a signed engagement letter. This website should not be used to provide confidential information about a legal matter. This website may provide links to third-party websites. Such linked websites are not under the control of Speaks Law Firm, PC Family Law Division and the firm assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the contents of such websites.

Call Us
Email Us