EP276 What Judges Think About Parental Instability. With Attorney Dannielle Simms

In this episode, attorneys Dannielle Simms of Simmslawgroup.com and Mac Pierre-Louis discuss the concept of “stability” in the context of family law cases. Danielle, a family law attorney in Texas, explains that judges look at various factors when assessing a parent’s stability, including the child’s living situation, school enrollment, and the parent’s relationships and financial situation.

Judges are primarily concerned with ensuring that a child’s life is not disrupted unnecessarily. They want to see that the child has a stable routine, friends, and community. Frequent moves or changes in the child’s living situation or school can be viewed as instability, even if the parent has a valid reason for the changes.

Financial stability is also a consideration, but the focus is on whether the parent can provide for the child’s basic needs, not necessarily whether one parent has a higher income. Judges aim to find solutions that address any financial instability without necessarily changing the child’s primary living arrangement.

The key takeaway is that judges evaluate stability holistically, considering the child’s overall well-being and the reasons behind any perceived instability. Simply having a higher income or a more traditional lifestyle does not automatically make a parent the “more stable” option.