Virginia parents who are ending their relationship and in the middle of a dispute over child custody will have a litany of concerns. Often, a parent enters the process thinking they are already at a disadvantage for a variety of reasons. One is the preconceived notion that one parent will receive preferential treatment because of their gender.
From the start, people need to understand that state law does not factor in a person’s gender when it decides on child custody and parenting time. Still, parents must be vigilant about every part of the child custody determination. To reach a favorable outcome, it is wise to have professional advice from the beginning.
Best interests do not include parents’ gender in child custody
The primary consideration in child custody is serving the child’s best interests. That includes the ages of the child and the parents, their physical and mental conditions; the environment the child will live in; their education, health care, the child’s basic needs; the parental history; being cooperative with the other parent; the child’s preferences; and if there were past issues with violence, abuse, or neglect.