Should judges be allowed to take into account whether or not a parent is biologically related to a child when making decisions in a custody hearing? I think that the child should go to who ever has the better life for the child. If the biological parent is not capable of taking care of the child and the other parent wants custody then it should be awarded to them.
Not to the highest bidder. I think that they should go with whoever is more qualified. Yes the child should have some say if they are old enough to.
The choices of a judge are the child's legal guardians. Usually, that means two biological parents, but it could include a step-parent who's gone through the trouble to adopt the child. If the adoptive step-parent is better qualified (and what 'qualified' means is a seperate debate entirely), then I would have no problem. I'm assuming that BOTH parents aren't unqualified (drunks, drugs, etc.), and the state will have to step in.
I think that if the step dad/mom helped to raise him or her and has a good interest in the child, and it is a good thing for the child to be with them, they should be considered. It should be whatever is best for the child, or what the child may want if they are old enough to be consulted.
