Mental Illness and Child Custody

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 26.2% of adults in the United States have at least one clinically diagnosable mental disorder, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. When parents are involved in a child custody dispute, the mental stability and health of the parents can make a sizeable difference in the court’s decision of who becomes the primary caregiver.

If you or someone you know has a mental illness and is currently involved in a child custody dispute, you need a qualified and experienced family lawyer on your side. Contact a San Diego custody attorney from Fischer & Van Thiel, LLP, today at 760-722-7646.

Mental Illness and Child Custody

When the court becomes involved in a child custody battle, the court will attempt to have the child continue his or her relationship with both parents, if possible. However, if one of the parents has a mental illness, it can complicate matters. Sometimes, parents with a mental illness can retain custody of their child, but oftentimes, this is not the case.

Sadly, the court typically views individuals with mental illnesses as less stable and fit to raise a child. If the mental illness is too severe for a parent to care for their child, they may be granted only visitation rights rather than joint custody of their son or daughter.

Contact Us

We understand that child custody disputes are emotionally trying, and we want to help you through this unfortunate situation as painlessly as possible. Contact our San Diego custody lawyers today at 760-722-7646 to get a dedicated attorney from Fischer & Van Thiel, LLP, on your side.