Barbara Sadler: Primary Caretaker in Divorce

Mothers and fathers who are splitting up may both seek and be awarded physical custody of their child. In an ideal scenario, a mother and father would come to an agreement together, without battling the matter out in court. However, when a family court judge does have to step in and decide which parent to award primary physical custody to, preference is usually given to the one who is the child’s “primary caretaker.”

The “Primary Caretaker” Standard

In custody cases, most states’ family courts allow a preference for the parent who can demonstrate that he or she was a child’s primary caretaker during the course of marriage, or assumed that role in general if the parents are unmarried. The “primary caretaker” factor became important as psychologists began to stress the importance of the bond between a child and his or her primary caretaker. This emotional bond is said to be important to the child’s successful passage through his or her developmental stages, and psychologists strongly encourage the continuation of the “primary caretaker”-child relationship, as being vital to the child’s psychological stability.

How Is the “Primary Caretaker” Decision Made?

When determining which parent has been the primary caretaker of a child for purposes of a custody decision, family courts focus on how parents have divided the key responsibilities for taking care of their child, including such tasks as:

Bathing, grooming, and dressing;
Meal planning and preparation;
Purchasing clothes and laundry responsibilities;
Health care arrangements;
Fostering participation in extracurricular activities;
Teaching of reading, writing, and math skills; helping with homework;
Conferencing with teachers; attending open houses; and
Planning and participating with leisure activities with the child.

Depending on the state where the custody determination is being made, other factors may be considered as important when determining primary caretaker status. Even such things as exposure to second-hand smoke and volunteerism in the child’s school have been considered in a primary caretaker analysis.

Child Custody and the Best Interests of the Child Standard

If the question “who is the primary caretaker” is not easily answered, as when both parents have equally shared parenting responsibilities, courts will generally look to the “child’s best interest” standard used for determining custody. Some of the factors a court will consider when making a decision in the child’s best interest are:

The child’s wishes (if he or she is old enough);
The parents’ physical and mental health;
The parents’ and child’s religious preference;
Need for continuation of stable home environment;
Support and opportunity for interaction with members of extended family of either parent;
Interaction and interrelationship with other members of household;
Adjustment to school and community;
Age and sex of child;
Parental use of excessive discipline or emotional abuse; and
Evidence of parental drug, alcohol, or sex abuse.

If you are the Primary Caretaker Call a Child Custody Attorney

Even in an agreeable separation, one area where there is often a dispute is physical custody. As you can see, where courts are needed to resolve these disputes, they will look to many factors to determine the primary caretaker. An experienced family law attorney understands these factors and can help you make the strongest case possible for custody of your children.

Free Consultation with Divorce Lawyer in Utah

If you have a question about divorce law or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will fight for you.