Few things in life have the potential to become more stressful than going through a custody dispute. After all, if you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse cannot come up with an acceptable solution, you might have little choice but to let a judge decide for you. Doing so, though, can feel like a loss of control.

In Indiana, judges must make custody determinations that are in the best interests of the affected child. How does a random judge know what is best for your son or daughter, though?

A multi-factor analysis

According to the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines, judges start with the proposition that kids thrive when they have frequent and meaningful contact with both parents.

Then, rather than being able to make custody orders on a whim, judges in the Hoosier State must undertake a multi-factor analysis to determine what is in the best interests of children. Along with weighing any other relevant information, judges must consider the following factors:

• The child’s age and sex
• The parents’ wishes
• The child’s wishes
• The child’s interactions with each parent and his or her siblings or others
• The child’s mental and physical health
• Any history of abuse or domestic violence

Your legal case

Reading through and understanding the factors judges consider can be helpful to your legal case. Indeed, you can begin to put together evidence in each area to support your interests. If you have some weaknesses, you also can work on redeeming yourself.

Ultimately, after a judge hears all the evidence you, your soon-to-be ex and others present, you can be reasonably certain he or she will come up with a custody arrangement that is good for your child.