What is Child Custody?
Child custody refers to the legal arrangement and responsibility for the care and upbringing of a child, typically following the separation or divorce of the child’s parents. For parents going through a divorce, deciding on child custody is sometimes one of the most challenging procedures. It may be rather tough to decide to split up a family and decide who will have custody of the kids and where they will reside. To stop child kidnapping and other interstate custody issues, this statute guarantees the enforcement of child custody decrees from other states. Child custody laws in the United States can vary from state to state, but some general principles are common across most jurisdictions.
Key Takeaways
- The parents of a child may often reach a consensus over the child’s care. But far too often, parents cannot agree on this delicate subject, and the courts have to step in.
- Legal and physical custody are two types of child custody that may be granted by the court.
- A court will take into account a number of considerations when deciding which parent should have legal or physical custody of a child, but ultimately it will base its judgment on what is best for the kid.
- States have different laws pertaining to child custody. With the exception of Massachusetts, all states have ratified the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).
Table of Content
- Types of Child Custody
- Factors Considered in Determining Child Custody
- Legal Assistance for Child Custody
- Conclusion
- Child Custody- FAQs