What principle governs child custody decisions in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, child custody decisions are fundamentally guided by the principle of the "best interests of the child." This standard places the child's welfare as the primary concern when determining custody arrangements. Courts assess various factors to evaluate what will support the child's emotional, psychological, and physical well-being, which includes consideration of the child's relationship with both parents, the parents' ability to provide a stable environment, and any other relevant circumstances that might impact the child's safety and happiness.

This principle ensures that decisions are made not on a rigid set of rules but rather on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the unique aspects of each family situation. Consequently, the focus is always directed towards fostering the ideal circumstances for the child's development and overall quality of life, rather than preferential treatment of parental rights or automatic assumptions regarding time-sharing arrangements.