A Mississippi court has wide latitude to consider facts that it deems relevant to a child custody determination. While statute recognizes some specific factors that must be taken into account, it also specifies that the court can consider any other evidence it deems relevant to its consideration of the matter. This can give you and the other parent a lot of room to argue, but it can also render it difficult to tailor your arguments. This can result in muddled questioning of witness and lost sight of what’s truly important: your child’s interests.
What “other” factors will the court take into account in your case?
There could be several. However, here are some of the most relevant that may be present in your case:
- Whether the proposed custody order requires separation of siblings
- Whether one parent has interfered in the relationship between the child and the other parent.
- Each parent’s desire to relocate, with or without the child.
- The financial well-being of each parent, which can be separate and distinct from the “stability of the home” factor that must be considered in a child custody case.
- The parenting plans presented.
- Each parent’s wishes for their child’s future.
There’s no mathematical formula that the court will use to issue a ruling in your case. Instead, the judge will try to take a holistic approach to render a decision that’s unique to your child’s circumstances. So, make sure you address every shred of evidence that could make a difference in your case.
Don’t leave your child custody case to chance
There’s certainly a lot at stake in a child custody case. The outcome of yours could reshape your relationship with your child for a long time to come. With that in mind, now is the time to build the persuasive and aggressive arguments that may be necessary to secure an outcome that’s right for your child.