If you are a Washington parent who is facing divorce, determining the custody plan for your children is likely to be foremost in your mind.
Since the family law courts are bound to act in the best interests of the children when deciding the custody arrangements, it’s prudent to review how any domestic violence incidents could affect your parental and custodial rights.
Courts protect kids from parental violence
Prior to filing for divorce, if you and your spouse engaged in domestic violence between yourselves, the court will take that into account when deciding who shall have custody of the children.
Below are a few examples of parenting techniques that the courts will consider regarding custody of the kids:
- Whether parents escalate marital dramas or create conflicts.
- Are parents focused on children’s well-being?
- Parents kept detailed records of any domestic violence incidents.
- Parents can communicate civilly about their children’s needs.
These are not the only factors that affect a parent’s custodial rights. If a parent can admit to having an anger problem and accept professional help to learn how to better manage their reactions, the court might view them as being proactive about the problem.
Children deserve protection from abuse
Parents should shield their children from the ravages of a violent home environment. But some may be too damaged from the abuse they already endured to know how to best protect their own children from domestic violence.
If parents can’t decide on the custody of their children, the court will make that determination. Protect your parental and custodial rights in a Washington divorce by learning more about the challenges you may face.
