Children are not "little adults"; each is an individual, and each child handles the pain, suffering and dislocation of a divorce in his or her own way. The age of a child at the onset of a divorce and his or her psychological development must be considered to minimize the damage of a divorce.

If the court must decide on custody issues, it will attempt to maintain a lifestyle and living environment that is as close to what existed prior to the divorce as possible, for example, ordering the children remain in the marital home and attend the same school. There are many factors that weigh on any custody decision, but these factors need to be significant enough to influence a drastic ruling.