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Child custody

religion

The religion of one or both parents generally won’t be the basis for a court’s decision on child custody arrangements—due in part to the protections of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution—unless the evidence introduced in court shows the religious practices are abusive or will likely have a substantial harmful effect on the child, and will not be in the child’s best interest. In most circumstances parents with shared custody of their child will be free to engage in their choice of religious services and activities with the child during their time of custody.

In Iowa, as in other states, the court's primary concern in determining child custody arrangements is the best interest of the child. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects religious freedom, which means that a parent's religion alone is not a valid basis for determining custody. However, if evidence is presented in court that a parent's religious practices are abusive or could substantially harm the child, this can be a factor in the court's decision. In cases of shared custody, each parent is generally free to engage in their choice of religious services and activities with the child during their respective custody periods, as long as these practices do not harm the child or interfere with the child's best interests.

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Child custody

religion

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Child custody

religion

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