Fathers and Child Custody in Raleigh

Tender Years Doctrine

More than 50% of marriages end in divorce and that leaves many parents left with the toughest decision of all; who will have custody of their children.

In child custody disputes, the assumption that mothers will receive sole custody is incorrect. The gender of the parent doesn’t automatically establish who will receive child custody like it did many years ago. That notion was known as the Tender Years Doctrine and it asserted that mothers should get custody of young children because they were better providers for them. In fact, father’s can be as equally if not more nurturing, sensitive and loving towards their children than mothers. Those qualities are innate and not gender specific. The Tender Years Doctrine has been eradicated due to four important concepts:

• Old fashioned gender stereotypes
• Recent assertion of a father’s rights movement
• Modifications to trends in family law
• More equal balance of rights for both sexes

Equality For Fathers

The idea that the child’s best interests are the driving force behind awarding custody affords a more level playing field in child custody scenarios. Both mothers and fathers have an equal opportunity to prove to the court that the child’s best interests will be served if custody is granted to them.

The Raleigh family law attorneys at the Hilbert Law Firm are dedicated to providing solutions to child custody disputes. The child’s best interests are always at the forefront of our minds as we work with parents to arrive at a mutually satisfying custody arrangement. For a private consultation with one of our family law attorneys please call us in Raleigh at 866-471-7275 or fill out our online contact form.