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Best-interest-of-the-child factors by state

In a custody dispute between two fit parents, courts apply the “best interest of the child” standard — a list of factors set by each state's statute that a judge (and any Guardian ad Litem) weighs. Pick your state to see those factors, quoted verbatim from the controlling statute, with a citation and what's at stake if a factor goes unaddressed. General information, not legal advice.

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Factors are quoted from each state's controlling statute; courts weigh them together (no single factor decides), and many states require findings on each. Educational reference only — not legal advice. Your court order and your state's current statute control.