District of Columbia Child Custody State Law

District of Columbia Code, Tide 16, Section 16-911 (D.C.C. See. 16-911).

D.C.C. Sec. 16-911 (a)(5).

A court may award joint or sole custody according to the best interest of the child. Joint custody is presumed co be in the best interest of the child or children, unless abuse or neglect is present or where parental kidnapping has occurred. In determining the best interest of the child, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including: (1) the wishes of the child as to his or her custodian, where practicable; (2) the wishes of the child’s parent or parents as to the child’s
custody; (3) the interaction and interrelationship of the child with his or her parent or parents, his or her siblings, and any other person who may emotionally or psychologically affect the child’s best interest; (4) the child’s adjustment to his or her home, school, and community; (5) the mental and physical health of all individuals involved; (6) the capacity of the parents to communicate and reach shared decisions affecting the child’s welfare; (7) the willingness of the parents to share custody; the prior involvement of each parent in the child’s life; (8) the potential disruption of the child’s social
and school life; (9) the geographical proximity of the parental homes as this relates to the practical considerations of the child’s or children’s residential schedule; (10) the demands of parental employment; (11) the age and number of children; (12) the sincerity of each parent’s request; and (13) the parent’s ability to financially support a custody arrangement.
Parties may agree to custody unless clear and convincing evidence indicates that such arrangement is not in the best interest of the minor child or children. Parenting plans can include: the residence of the child or children; the financial support based on the needs of the child or children and the actual resources of the parent; visitation; holidays, birthdays, and vacation visitation; transportation of the child or children between the residences; education; religious training, if any; access to the child’s or children’s educational, medical, psychiatric, and dental care records; except in emergencies, the responsibility for medical, psychiatric, and dental treatment decisions; communication
between the child and the parents; and resolving conflict such as a recognized family counseling or mediation service before application to the court to resolve a conflict.

Fathers Rights Blog | Child Custody State Law List .. Above info from a 2004 legal publication.
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