Free US Law Dictionary

Best Interest of the Child

Best interests or best interests of the child is the doctrine used by most courts to determine a wide range of issues relating to the well-being of children. The most important of these issues concern questions that arise upon the divorce or separation of the children's parents: With whom will the children live?; How much contact (previously termed "access", or in some jurisdictions, "visitation") will the parents, legal guardian, or other parties be allowed (or required) to have?; and To whom and by whom will child support be paid and in what amount?