According to modern family law doctrine, the best interest of a child is a standard that family court judges must consider when making all divorce and custody related decisions. Oftentimes, the best interests of the child are lost in vindictive custody disputes between ex-spouses, however, a family court judge must act as an objective observer between these disputes and ascertain what action or arrangement will most benefit the children involved. In most cases, a judge will seek to change the lifestyle or routine of the child as little as possible, while still accounting for the disputes and divorce at hand.