(2/13) When it comes to the welfare of children, the decisions made by the courts in custody cases are based on the most comfortable way for the child to live his or her life. However, in some cases, no matter how much the parents may want it, the court may not deem it appropriate to take custody of their child. These decisions are made through a very detailed decision-making process and all steps are taken to prevent situations that may jeopardize the physical, mental or emotional health of the child. Today, we would like to tell you about the circumstances under which a parent may be denied custody of a child.
Physical or Psychological Violence
This situation is very serious and if it can be proven that the parent is physically or psychologically abusive to the child or other members of the family, it is very likely that the parent will lose custody during the court proceedings. As we mentioned earlier, the welfare of the child is the most important thing, so it would not be safe for the child to live in such an environment and the courts do not hesitate to take precautions in such cases. In such cases, individuals should seek the assistance of a Portland child custody lawyer in order to present their evidence in the best way possible.
Addictions
If the party seeking custody is struggling with an addiction, the court may take away the parent's right to custody, as this is not an ideal environment for the child to grow up in. Addictions that the parent may have include alcohol, drugs or other harmful substances, and the child's safety is greatly threatened by being around such substances. In the best case, the court will only limit the parental custody rights, but if it deems it necessary, it can take the parental custody rights away from the parent completely. Drug abuse prevention should be taken in order for parents to have the right of custody.
Criminal History of the Parent
When it comes to custody rights, the criminal history of the parents is also examined in detail and if either parent has a conviction for a serious crime, this can affect many things in the court and the parent's custody rights can be taken away. These serious crimes include child abuse, domestic violence, etc., and because these people are seen as having the potential to harm the child, the court will do everything in its power to ensure the child's safety, including taking away custody rights.
Negligence Towards the Child
In order for children to lead healthy lives, their basic care needs will need to be met by their parents, and sometimes parents may neglect this. If one party in the case is accused of this and it can be proven, this will greatly affect the court's decision on custody. This is because meeting the emotional and educational needs of the child is very important for the child to grow up in a healthy way. Even if the court does not take away the parental rights completely, it will probably limit the parental rights in such a case.
