IN THIS LESSON

“Stability” is one of the most heavily weighted concepts—but often misunderstood.

What the Court Often Interprets as Stability

  • Predictability

  • Lack of visible conflict

  • Consistent routines

  • Compliance with process

What This Can Miss

  • Underlying issues not immediately visible

  • Behavioral or emotional concerns

  • Long-term developmental impact

Why This Matters

A situation can appear:

stable

while still being:

harmful or incomplete

Apply This

  • Document patterns, not just incidents

  • Show how behavior affects the child over time

  • Connect visible actions to real impact