What factors determine child custody during a divorce in Washington?

Child custody is always a tricky business.  Both parents love the child, and both parents want to spend as much time with the child and have as much influence and input on how the child is raised as possible.  Because conflicts often arise, there are a number of factors that will determine who gets custody of a child and who will receive visitation, or occasional rights to have the child spend time with them or live with them.  In the state of Washington, the child custody determination is made through a number of considerations, all designed to determine the best interests of the child.  So, what specific factors determine child custody in Washington state?

Some of the factors that are involved in determining child custody in Washington state are: 

• past performance of parenting duties by each parent; 
• the child’s relationship with siblings and adults in the family; 
• the best home life as determined by location and living arrangements made by the parents; 
• the ability of each parent to care for the child; 
• any agreements that may have been made by both parents prior to the divorce taking place; and o
• f course the wishes and input of the child if he or she is of an age where he can be involved in the decision.

A lawyer can help you to understand your rights when it comes to your kids, and can help you to protect those rights in court.