What is Child Custody?
The legal arrangement determining where children will live and who will make important decisions about their upbringing after parents separate or divorce.
Understanding Child Custody
Custody includes physical custody (where the child lives) and legal custody (decision-making authority). Arrangements can be sole (one parent) or joint (shared). Courts prioritize the best interests of the child when making custody determinations.
Examples
- 1Joint legal custody with primary physical custody to mother
- 2Shared parenting time with 50/50 schedule
- 3Sole custody to one parent due to safety concerns
Related Terms
Parenting Plan
A written agreement between parents that outlines how they will share time with their children, make decisions, and handle disputes after separation or divorce.
Divorce
The legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body, ending the marital relationship and dividing assets, debts, and responsibilities.
Alimony
Court-ordered financial support paid by one spouse to the other during or after divorce, also known as spousal support or maintenance.
Child Support
Ongoing payments made by a non-custodial parent to help cover the costs of raising their child, typically continuing until the child reaches adulthood.
Marital Property
Assets and debts acquired during the marriage that are subject to division in a divorce, as opposed to separate property owned before marriage or received as gifts/inheritance.
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