What is child custody?
Q: What is child custody?
A: Child custody is the legal relationship between a parent and their child, which includes the right to make decisions for the child and the parent's duty to care for the child.
Q: In what situations are child custody decisions made?
A: Child custody decisions are made in situations such as divorce, when a child cannot be looked after by either parent and has to be put into foster care or put up for adoption.
Q: How are decisions about who will have custody of a child made?
A: Decisions about who will have custody of a child will be taken in such a way as is best for the child.
Q: What does state custody mean?
A: State custody means that a child is given custody to the state. This may be because the child is in danger when living at home due to violence in the home or other reasons.
Q: What is joint custody?
A: Joint custody means that both parents have custody over the child.
Q: What is the difference between physical custody and legal custody?
A: Physical custody refers to who looks after the child from day to day and where a child will live, while legal custody refers to having the power to make decisions about the child, such as where they go to school.
Q: What is the difference between a custodial parent and a non-custodial parent?
A: A custodial parent has sole physical custody and is responsible for the day-to-day care of the child while a non-custodial parent does not have physical custody but may have the right to visit the child.
