Custody And Parenting Time

Arizona calls custody legal decision-making, and the court decides it and parenting time in the child's best interests, considering every relevant factor, including:

• §A.R.S. 25-403

• The past, present and potential relationship between each parent and the child.
• The child's relationships with parents, siblings and others who significantly affect the child.
• The child's adjustment to home, school and community.
• The child's wishes, if the child is of suitable age and maturity.
• The mental and physical health of everyone involved.
• Which parent is more likely to allow frequent, meaningful and continuing contact with the other.
• Whether a parent intentionally misled the court, and any coercion or duress in reaching an agreement.
• Whether there has been domestic violence or child abuse.

• §A.R.S. 25-403

In a contested case, the court makes specific findings on the record about all relevant factors and why its decision is in the child's best interests. The contact factor does not count against a parent acting in good faith to protect the child from domestic violence or child abuse.

• §A.R.S. 25-403