Like any other state, Arizona gives highest priority to the best interests of the child when granting custody to the parents. Before the parents file for joint custody in Arizona, there are certain aspects they must be familiar with so that the entire process is smooth. When granting joint custody, or joint legal decision making authority, the court takes into consideration several factors which are discussed below.
The court will first check if there is an agreement between the parents to joint legal custody of the child. If the court finds that there is a disagreement, it then analyzes the basis for it. It checks whether the lack of agreement is reasonable or not. Further, it examines whether the reason for disagreement is in anyway related to the best interests of the child. The feasibility of the joint custody arrangement is also checked. The court will also examine whether the parents can communicate in an effective and cooperative manner when it comes to custody sharing.
Apart from this, the court also looks into factors that might endanger the child in any way. It is examines whether any of the parents has a history of drug and alcohol abuse, violence or any criminal convictions. The court will consider a person’s history before granting or denying custody to a parent. The court can look to the parent’s behavior as a whole and consider any counseling, classes, community service and therapy that the parent has participated in. The court is entrusted with the very sensitive job of deciding whether a parent is fit to make legal decisions regarding their minor children and whether the parents are able to make these decisions together.
When going through a Divorce or Custody case in the North Valley, it is important to have an experienced Glendale Divorce Attorney or Custody Attorney in Desert Ridge to assist you in working towards a custody arrangement in the best interests of your children.