MOSCOW, February 8 - RAPSI. During divorce disputes, courts are not obligated to leave children with their wealthier parent, the Supreme Court noted while analyzing Russian legal practice in 2008-2010.

The court said the number of child custody cases is growing with each year. The courts examined more than 24,200 such cases in 2010, 20,500 in 2009 and 17,000 in 2008.

According to the analysis, the courts adhere to the Constitution and international acts when granting parents custody during divorce trials. Wealth should not be the deciding factor in terms of which parent receives the child, the Supreme Court said.

However, the Supreme Court said judges frequently forget to ask children's opinions as to with whom they would like to live, which runs counter to legislation.

Recently, several child custody scandals took place in Russia.