Expectations

Factors Impacting Custody

As set out in Arizona law, there are factors a judge is to consider in deciding the issue of custody of children. They will vary in importance depending on the judge and the circumstances. Some factors that are considered are:

• Wishes of the parents
• Wishes of the child
• Interrelationships between the child and parent(s), siblings and others
• Child's adjustment to home, school, and community
• Mental and physical health of the parties involved
• Who has provided the primary care to the child in the past
• Nature and extent of coercion and duress used by the parent in order to obtain custody
• Domestic violence. If there has been domestic violence, this fact has great bearing on custody and may result in limited visitation for the person who committed the violence.