Children and Custody
Research confirms that child custody cases often move through court systems without regard for peoples’ real-life experiences of domestic violence, often resulting in parenting arrangements that can expose victimized parents and their children to further abuse.
Children and the non-abusive parent are impacted in many ways when a parent or guardian uses violence in the home. In child custody and parenting time determinations, most state courts must account for domestic violence; however, connecting domestic violence to parenting is often challenging for practitioners. Making the connection between intimate partner violence and parenting in child custody cases is critical for the safety and wellbeing of both the children and the non-abusive parent.
Most of these resources are provided by our National Legal Center on Children and Domestic Violence, which provides technical assistance and training on the intersections of family law, child support, and child welfare when there is domestic violence.
Search and explore all Child Custody related resources in the side menu, or dive into a recent addition below:
Calculating Safety: Domestic Violence and Child Support Parenting Time Initiatives
Published by: Nancy Ver Steegh, Gabrielle Davis Policy makers and stakeholders have been engaged in a national discussion about establishing…
CLASS: #Webinar ,Accounting for Risk and Danger Practice Checklists
Published by: Connie Sponsler-Garcia Ideally, identifying and documenting risk factors for serious or lethal intimate partner violence (IPV) should be…
CLASS: #Tools and Guides ,Representing Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Connected with the Military
Published by: Ellen Schell This handbook for civil attorneys provides legal and military policy information needed by civil attorneys representing…
CLASS: #Tools and Guides ,Practice Guides for Family Court Decision-Making in Domestic Abuse-Related Child Custody Matters
Published by: Loretta Frederick, Gabrielle Davis These practice guides are designed to improve decision-making by family court professionals involved in…
CLASS: #Tools and Guides ,Mind the Gap: Accounting for Domestic Abuse in Child Custody Evaluations
Published by: Ellen Pence, Gabrielle Davis, Denise Gamache, Cheryl Beardslee This report was part of a national child custody project…
CLASS: #Tools and Guides ,Parent Coordination Services: A Guide for Policy Makers
Published by: Barbara Hart, Esq. This guide is designed to assist policymakers, courts and attorneys in deliberations and decision-making on…
CLASS: #Tools and Guides ,