(a) In making a determination of the best interests of the child in a proceeding described in Section 3021, the court shall, among any other factors it finds relevant and consistent with Section 3020, consider all of the following: (1) The health, safety, and welfare of the child.

Courts in every jurisdiction must consider the "best interests of the child" when granting custody or visitation rights to a grandparent. Primary child custody factors in California include the child's best interests and the custodial parent's ability to care for the child. Under California Family Code Section 3011, courts are instructed to consider the factors listed in the statute and any other factors they find relevant to an evaluation of the best interest of the child. Factors to be considered include parental capacity to provide adequate care, sibling and other family relationships, and the child's wishes. Courts in California are always most concerned with what is in the best interests of the child. Previously, when tasked with decisions regarding child custody and parenting time, Minnesota courts engaged in a two-step process. To find statute information for a particular State, go to . Can the Child’s Best Interest Standard be Overridden? NRS 125C.003 Best interests of child: Primary physical custody; presumptions; child born out of wedlock. This is a rather amorphous standard, and one that lends itself to judges’ subjective beliefs about what’s best for children. Court Considerations for Grandparent Visitation or Custody: Best Interests of the Child. Compare lender APR's, loan terms, and lock in your rate. All states use a “best interest of the child” standard in disputed custody cases. In child custody proceedings arising in San Diego and throughout California, the court must make a determination of what is in the best interests of the child. A court may award primary physical custody to a parent if the court determines that joint physical custody is not in the best interest of a child. Minnesota’s New “Best Interest Factors” for Child Custody. Best Interest of Child Test in Custody Determinations. Best interests factors Other considerations Full-text excerpts of State laws. Parties, attorneys, and judges may find the following checklist of factors helpful as a tool for assessing which parent is most likely to be the best custodian of a minor child in a contested custody dispute. The child’s best interest takes precedent, unless something life-changing takes place. Bankrate helps you compare current home mortgage & refinance interest rates. Children's Best Interests Come First. In deciding custody of a child, a judge or master must determine what would be in the child’s best interests. gov/topics/systemwide/ laws-policies/state/. The factsheet also addresses the definition of best interests and guiding principles of best interest determinations. C. The Legislature finds and declares that, except when a court determines that the best interest of a child would not be served, it is the public policy of this State to assure minor children of frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the parents have separat In the California courts, the judges use a legal standard known as the “Best Interests of the Child” standard. To determine what child custody arrangement is in the best interest of the child, California courts consider the following factors: When parents can’t agree on child custody on their own or through mediation , the judge in the case will have to reach a solution that works for everyone involved—but the judge’s primary concern is the child. A lot of mistakes I see people make in custody trials are not addressing the child's best interest factors in the presentation of their case. Age of the children. California courts must consider certain factors that affect a child’s health and safety. In California, the main factor that drives child custody decisions is the child’s best interest.