Legal Decision-Making

Parents will either be awarded joint legal decision-making or one parent will be awarded sole legal decision-making. In addition to considering best interests of the child, there are several statutory factors a Court considers when determining which form of legal decision-making to order. Just some of those factors include:

• The past, present and potential future relationship between the parent and the child.
• The interaction and interrelationship of the child with the child’s parent or parents, the child’s siblings and any other person who may significantly affect the child’s best interest.
• The child’s adjustment to home, school and community.
• If the child is of suitable age and maturity, the wishes of the child as to legal decision-making and parenting time.
• The mental and physical health of all individuals involved.
• Which parent is more likely to allow the child frequent, meaningful and continuing contact with the other parent.