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Hearings in Child Custody Proceedings

Quick Facts

Priority hearings.
Travel expenses possible.
Hearings may be closed to the public if necessary.
Proceedings may be secret.

Custody proceedings receive priority for hearing.

The court may assign the costs of necessary travel and other expenses incurred by a person whose presence at the hearing the court deems necessary to determine the best interests of the child.

The court without a jury shall determine questions of law and fact. If the court finds that a public hearing may be detrimental to the child's best interests, the court may exclude the public from a child custody hearing, but may admit any person who has a direct interest in the particular case. Whether or not the hearing is public is up to the judge and not the parents.

If the court finds it necessary for the protection of the child's welfare that the record of an interview, report, investigation, or testimony in a custody proceeding be kept secret, the court may make an appropriate order sealing the record. Again, this does not depend on the preference of the parents.