A Legal and Psychological Analysis of Child C...

A Legal and Psychological Analysis of Child Custody

Author Name : S. Bageerathan, Dr. S. Murugesan, Dr. N. Dhanalakshimi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56025/IJARESM.2025.130225900

ABSTRACT Child custody disputes are one of the most contentious aspects of family law, requiring courts to balance legal rights, parental responsibilities, and the welfare of the child. Legal systems worldwide have gradually evolved to prioritize child well-being over rigid parental entitlements. Several recent judicial rulings, including the Montana Supreme Court’s 2024 decision on judicial bias, the Bombay High Court’s verdict in (Ne) v. (A) on cross-border custody, and the Calcutta High Court’s ruling in Dr. Gaurav Gupta v. State of West Bengal (2024), emphasize the importance of judicial impartiality, psychological stability, and fair adjudication in custody disputes. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution of custody laws, judicial approaches to child welfare, psychological effects on children, and the role of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms such as mediation in settling custody matters amicably