Mental health is not something a lot of people like to talk about. However, it is not something that should be brushed aside. Numerous Louisiana resident suffer from mental health problems, and these problems can affect their families in several ways. In fact, many family law professionals see it affecting parental rights and child custody arrangements.
Not all mental illnesses are severe. Many adults suffer from depression, anxiety or both, which are highly treatable. Unless these issues make it impossible for an adult to take care of and provide for him or herself and his or her children, there is no reason why either of these issues should cause a parent to lose access to his or her children.
Of course, there are those out there with mental health problems that do prevent them from being able to manage typical daily tasks. These problems may not be resolved with medication or other therapies. These issues may put their children at risk of harm. It is in such situations where a parent's rights to his or her children may be questioned, and sometimes with good reason.
At the end of the day, a child custody arrangement has to serve the best interests of the child. The state of Louisiana is not going to reject a parent's request for custody simply because he or she has a mental health problem. The court will look into the severity of the issue and determine what type of custody plan seems appropriate under the circumstances. Those who have concerns about their mental health or the mental health of a spouse and how it could affect child custody can turn to a family law attorney for assistance addressing the matter and fighting for the custody arrangement one thinks is best.
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