Dr Bowen’s Response: What equitable means for assets division and child custody

Question

What equitable means for assets division and child custody?

Answer

ENGLISH

Hi! My name is Dr. Deirdre Bowen. I am a professor at the Seattle University School of Law. The information that I am about to provide to you should be taken as just that: information but not legal advice. Two terms that frequently come up in the process of dissolving a marriage or domestic partnership: one is what does equitable mean in terms of dividing assets. It’s important to know equitable doesn’t necessarily mean equal. It means what is fair to each spouse. The second term that frequently comes up with regard to child custody is what is in the best interest of the child. That standard focuses on what can we do to maintain circumstances that the child was used with regard to the care he/she received from his/her parents. It’s not about what’s convenient for the parents or who is a better parent, but rather what’s in the best interest of the child.

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