The Rhode Island Family Court judge utilizes the “best interest of the child” standard in Rhode Island Child Custody and Child Visitation cases. The Factors a Family Court Judge should use in making a “best interest of the child” determination are set forth in the seminal Rhode Island case of Pettinato v Pettinato, 589 A.2d 909 (R.I. 1990)

Child Custody, Visitation and Placement are usually determined by the RI Family Court in Divorce, Post Divorce, Paternity, DCYF, Family Law, and Child Custody Cases.