The Washington DC laws about child custody are found in Title 16, Chapter 9 of the Washington DC Official Code. Within these laws, parents can find the necessary information they need to make a Washington DC parenting plan. Here is a highlight of some of the more important laws.
Joint Custody
A Washington DC custody agreement can have a sole or joint custody arrangement. However, there is a presumption in DC that joint custody is in the best interest of the child. If a parent wants a different agreement, s/he needs to show that a sole custody arrangement is best for the child and that a joint arrangement would be harmful to the child.
Best Interest of the Child
As parents make a Washington DC custody schedule, they need to make it in the best interest of the child. This is the standard that the courts use when making any custody decisions, and it ensures that the schedule will be accepted by the court. When parents agree on a Washington DC visitation schedule, the court will accept it. If the custody situation is contested, the court has authority to decide the schedule. When determining what kind of schedule is in the child’s best interest, the court will look at:
- wishes of the child and the parents;
- the interaction and interrelationship between the child and the parents, the child and other siblings, and the child and other significant family members;
- the willingness of the parents to share custody;
- the prior involvement of each parent with the child;
- the potential disruption of the child’s school and social life;
- the geographic proximity of the parents;
- the demands of parental employment;
- the age and number of children;
- the sincerity of each parent’s request;
- the parent’s ability to financially support a joint custody arrangement;
- and the benefit to the parents