Child Custody and Visitation Decisions in Domestic Violence Cases: Legal Trends, Research Findings, and Recommendations

Child Custody and Visitation Decisions in Domestic Violence Cases: Legal Trends, Research Findings, and Recommendations

General Summary About Child Custody Laws in Massachusetts including MA statutes

Child custody laws in the state of Massachusetts not allow for Thurs ruling in favor of one form of custody over another. Instead, the decision is to be made ??entirely on the child's happiness and welfare, rather than leaning toward a joint custody arrangement of one form or another.

Factors Considered When Choosing Custody Arrangements

When choosing child custody arrangements in the state of Massachusetts, the courts will look at the child's happiness and welfare, rather than a lengthy list of factors. Factors Considered include:

Emotional, physical, mental, or moral health of the child.

Whether or not parents have attended parent education classes.

Whether or not the parents have agreed to a custody arrangement.

The child's present living conditions.

If the parents have agreed to custody arrangements, the courts will look at the arrangement and attempt to deter mine if it is in the best interests of the child. In most situations, the courts will rule in favour of this arrangement. However, they may place stipulations on the case addition to the child's best interests Ensure are looked after. Non-parents may apply for visitation rights under Massachusetts' child custody laws . This may include grandparents or other relatives or close family friends who play a role in the child's health and development. To apply for this, you must file form CJD109, Complaint for Support-Custody-Visitation. The state of Massachusetts Allows anyone to apply for custody of the child, even if they are not a parent, but they must have a compelling reason to apply to be the child's guardian.

Child Support Laws

Family courts in Massachusetts will ask non-custodial parents to pay child support to aid in raising the child. This amount is chosen based on set guidelines and the parents' mutual incomes. If the standard guiltiness appear to set up amount to unfair for the circumstances, the courts are allowed to make a change, provide it serves the best interests of the child. Support continues until the child moves out of the home or reaches the age of 21, provided the child is quiet Primarily Depending on the parent for maintenance. If the child is not yet 23 and continues to rely on the parents for maintenance and is enrolled in on educational program, the courts may extend the child support until age 23rd However, support will not be extended beyond what is Necessary for undergraduate degree from.

Produced by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute

What does joint custody require?

Joint custody is required when parents divorce means that the judge must order joint custody even if the parents disagree and even if joint custody is best for the child. Custody is "forced" when the law says that a parent is entitled to joint custody without having to show the judge that joint custody is in the best interest of your child.

What do the research on ...