According to West Virginia laws, you and the other parent should consider the following factors when making decisions regarding the development of your parenting plan:
1. Stability of the child.
2. Parental planning and agreement about the child's custodial arrangements and upbringing.
3. Continuity of existing parent-child attachments.
4. Meaningful contact between a child and each parent.
5. Caretaking relationships by adults who love the child, know how to provide for the child's needs, and who place a high priority on doing so.
6. Security from exposure to physical or emotional harm.
7. Expeditious, predictable decision-making and avoidance of prolonged uncertainty respecting arrangements for the child's care and control.
The West Virginia courts realize you and the other parent know your own situation better than anyone else, which is why this is your opportunity to create a parenting plan that will maintain a family structure that is in the best interests of your child(ren).