| Title 14 in the North Dakota Century Code contains the | | | | is best if the parents can cooperate and make an |
| state laws and guidelines concerning child custody. | | | | agreement that they both like right from the beginning. |
| Within these statutes, parents who need to make a | | | | 3. Best interest of the child. Title 14-09 makes it very |
| custody agreement and parenting plan can find the | | | | clear that all custody decisions, especially regarding the |
| necessary information to make one that will fit the | | | | adoption of a custody agreement, must be done in the |
| needs of their child and also fulfill the requirements of | | | | best interest of the child. When the court is deciding |
| the state. The custody agreement is the result of the | | | | about custody, they consider many factors that affect |
| custody proceeding and it has all of the terms and | | | | the child's best interest. These factors should be |
| conditions of the custody arrangements. Therefore, it is | | | | considered by the parents as they make their |
| vital that parents come up with a plan that they like | | | | agreement to help ensure that it benefits the children. |
| and that works for their child, because the custody | | | | Here are the factors: |
| agreement will be in effect until the child is an adult. | | | | - The love, affection, and other emotional ties existing |
| Here is a highlight of the laws from the North Dakota | | | | between the parents and child. |
| Code that parents need to know for their parenting | | | | - The capacity and disposition of the parents to give |
| plan. | | | | the child love, affection, and guidance. |
| 1. Court ordered mediation. Title 14-09.1 explains that the | | | | - The disposition of the parents to provide the child |
| court has the authority to order parents to mediation if | | | | with food, clothing, and medical care. |
| the custody arrangements are contested. This means | | | | - How long the child has lived in a stable environment, |
| that if the mother and father are not able to agree on | | | | and if that environment should continue. |
| the parenting plan, they may need to attend mediation. | | | | - The permanence of the proposed or existing |
| In mediation, they should try to work out an agreement | | | | custodial home. |
| that they can both support. If mediation fails, the | | | | - The moral fitness of the parents. |
| parents must rely on the court to decide on a | | | | - The physical and mental health of the parents. |
| parenting plan. Generally, everyone is more satisfied | | | | - The community, school, and home record of the child. |
| with the agreement if they can work it out together. | | | | - The reasonable preference of the child. |
| 2. Modifications to the plan. The state wants to accept | | | | - Any history of domestic violence |
| parenting plans that are stable and that can last for | | | | - The interaction of the child with any other family |
| several years. In many cases, parents must wait at | | | | members or other significant persons. |
| least two years before petitioning for a modification, | | | | - If either parent has made accusations about the |
| unless the parents agree on a change. If a parent | | | | other that aren't in good faith. |
| wants a major change to the plan, s/he must prove | | | | - Any other relevant factors. |
| that the change is vital to the child's well being. Thus, it | | | | |