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Can where you live affect child custody outcomes?

On Behalf of | Apr 8, 2021 | Divorce

Going through a messy divorce may never have been your end goal, and having to work extra hard to ensure that you still have ample time with your kids after the divorce likely never even crossed your mind. After all, you are their parent, and you feel that you should have the ability to spend time with them as much as you like. Of course, the judge in your North Carolina divorce case may see matters differently.

In an ideal situation, you and the other parent could come to a custody agreement that you both find favorable and that suits the best needs of your kids. However, if you and your soon-to-be ex cannot agree on anything these days, you may have a more difficult time getting the custody arrangements you hoped for. You may also need to pay attention to how specific factors in your life — like your living accommodations — could affect a judge’s decision.

Where do you live, and what is it like?

If you had to move out of the family home as a result of your divorce, you may have had to find living arrangements on short notice. If lucky, you may have found reasonable accommodations that could act as a permanent living place if you so choose. On the other hand, you may have had to take the first available apartment you could find, which may not be in the best neighborhood.

If you hope to obtain at least joint custody of your children, the court may closely inspect your living arrangements. Some details the judge may consider include:

  • How many children involved
  • Whether the children will have age-appropriate privacy at your residence
  • Whether your current living arrangements are temporary or permanent
  • Whether you can afford living accommodations that suit the needs of your children
  • The location of the residence, particularly if it is in a safe area
  • Whether your current living arrangements can provide the children with accommodations similar to that which they are accustomed

You may think that where you live should not play a significant role in deciding whether you get custody of your kids, but it is only one of the many aspects that the court will consider during your child custody proceedings. As a result, it is wise to prepare for scrutiny of various aspects of your life as you work toward the outcomes you desire.