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Domestic Violence and North Carolina Family Court
How domestic violence may affect child custody decisions in NC.
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Understanding Custody and Visitation Factors in Domestic Violence Cases
What Are Best-Interest Factors?
Best-interest factors are the set of considerations a court reviews to decide what custody and visitation arrangements serve a child’s well-being. These usually include the child’s safety, stability, and emotional needs.
Raising Domestic Violence Concerns
If domestic violence is involved, it is important to bring these concerns to the court’s attention. Courts take safety seriously and consider any history or evidence of harm when making decisions.
Common Court Considerations
- The impact of violence on the child and parent
- The willingness of each parent to support a positive relationship with the other, if safe
- Parenting ability and history of caregiving
- The child’s preferences, depending on age and maturity
- Any protective orders or law enforcement reports
Supervised Visitation Possibilities
Supervised visitation may be arranged when there are safety concerns. This means visits happen with a trusted third party present to help keep everyone safe. Courts may use supervision to maintain parental contact while reducing risk.
Remember that legal processes and outcomes can vary by location and individual circumstances. Additional support options can be found through resources listed at DV.Support.