A Judicial Guide to Child Safety in Custody Cases

This tool is designed for judges to promote consideration of ways to maximize a child’s safety as they determine issues of custody and visitation. It can help judges assess whether a child or parent is at risk for physical, emotional, or mental abuse; review the evidence so that the safety of the child is the primary factor in determining his or her best interest; evaluate safety risks at various stages of a case, from initial filing through post-disposition; make findings that explain and prioritize safety concerns; and draft custody and visitation orders that maximize family safety.