When it comes to a child custody hearing, the judge only knows the facts presented to them; they do not know intricacies of the relationship between you, your child and your co-parent. Given such, it is important to provide the judge with all requested information, and for you to be prepared to answer any questions about your family dynamic. Therefore, it is helpful for you to understand not only the child custody process, but the factors considered when determining the outcome of your case.

Financial Considerations
Questions about your current financial position, employment status, or stability of income will likely be considered by the judge. These types of questions seek to answer whether the parent seeking custody has the financial ability to properly care for the child. These questions also assist the court in matters relating to child support.
Previous Custody Considerations
Many parents enter a custody hearing with an opinion on what they want the final custody order to be. Therefore, the judge may ask what type of custody arrangement is most suitable for you; whether you and your co-parent have a parenting plan or visitation agreement; and why you believe your plan is best for your child.
Parental-Child Relationship Considerations
The judge may inquire about how much time you spend with your child and the role you play in their daily life. The judge may also ask questions about how often you communicate with your child or your living arrangements. These kinds of questions seek to evaluate whether the child will have a stable upbringing with established routines in a safe environment.
Parent-to-Parent Relationship Considerations
Given that you and your co-parent are likely separated, the judge may ask: if and how often you communicate with the other parent; whether you and your co-parent agree on certain issues about your child; and the nature of your relationship (or lack thereof) with your ex. While some domestic disputes may not be a large concern for the court, threats of violence or arrest records for child abuse or domestic violence are heavily considered by the court.
Legal Considerations
The judge will consider all the facts that you and your co-parent present before determining a custody order that they believe is in the best interest of your child. Experienced attorneys, like our attorneys at Giro & Associates, LLC, know exactly the types of questions and considerations that the judge will take into account before making their determination.
For help with preparing, presenting, and strengthening your child custody case, call our River Edge, New Jersey Law Office at 201-502-7834, or send us a message with a brief description of your situation, and we will get back to you right away.