In a Child’s Best Interests: Desirability of Parent and Child Relationship

In part 4 of this 7 part series, we discuss the Desirability of Parent and Child Relationship factor.

This factor asks whether it is desirable to continue a parent and child relationship between a parent and child. Most of the time, the court will find that it is desirable to continue the relationship between the child and both parents. In limited circumstances, the court will find that it is undesirable to continue a relationship between a parent and child.

If this question is in play, most likely DHS/CPS and the police are involved. The sorts of cases that result in a finding that it is undesirable to continue the relationship between parent and child often involve one of the parents either having their parental rights terminated by the state or going to prison for more than 3 years – even then it depends on what the behavior is.

Most often, when someone asks us if they can terminate the other parents right or keep them from having parenting time, the answer is no.

Stay tuned for part 5 for a more in depth discussion about Abuse.