Unfortunately, parents with mental and physical disabilities are often discriminated against when it comes to child custody cases and divorce proceedings. While there are laws in place to protect the rights of the disabled, there are also a number of troubling recent cases in which children have been unjustly taken from the homes of their disabled parents.
At the heart of every child custody case in Washington State are the best interests of the child. In many cases, this means that a child will be in contact with both of his or her parents regardless of their medical conditions. However, this may also mean that a parent that is suffering from a severe mental illness or physical disability may not get physical custody of their children if they are unable to properly care for them. In the end, the court will balance the rights of the disabled parent with the wellbeing of the child or children in question.
If you are disabled and have lost custody of your child, do not lose hope. You may be able to fight to get your kids back if you can prove that you are an effective, loving, and capable parent despite your limitations.
Every child custody case is different. To learn more about whether your disability could affect your chances of getting custody of your child, consider speaking to a Seattle child custody attorney about the unique details of your case. Call Molly B. Kenny today at 425-460-0550 to schedule a meeting with an experienced family lawyer.
