When determining custody, courts consider a multitude of factors, all aimed at serving the best interests of the child. One such factor is the age of the child. How can the age and development of a child influence the outcome of custody proceedings.
Daily care and stability may be a priority for infants and toddlers.
For infants and toddlers, the primary consideration is often who has been the primary caregiver. These young children need regular care to meet their basic needs like eating, sleeping, and bonding. Courts usually prefer to give custody to the parent who does most of this daily care, especially when it comes to infants who are breastfeeding.
Courts also think about how important it is for young kids to have a stable and calm home so their routine isn’t disturbed. Sometimes, non-custodial parents will have frequent shorter visits help the child stay connected to both parents without causing unnecessary stress.
A child’s social world matters more as they enter their preschool and early school years.
As children grow into preschool and early school years, their social world begins to expand. They start forming stronger social ties outside the home, including friendships and educational relationships. Here, courts might begin to weigh the child’s adjustment to their community and school environment as part of the custody decision.
Adolescents and teenagers have more complex social and educational needs.
When kids become teenagers, they have more complex social and educational needs. Teenagers are figuring out who they are and what they believe in. Courts often consider what the older children want if they are mature enough to express a preference.
Courts also think about how important it is for teens to have a supportive environment that promotes their education and extracurricular activities. Custody arrangements may need to be more flexible to accommodate these activities and address how parents will handle school events.
In child custody cases, a child’s age is a significant factor that courts consider when making decisions or modifying custody arrangements. Understanding the impact of a child’s developmental stage can help parents focus on providing the best possible care for their child at every stage of their development.