child custody
Who keeps kids
Child custody is the legal right and responsibility to care for a minor child.
When parents separate or divorce, courts determine custody arrangements—who the child lives with, who makes decisions about education and healthcare, and how time is divided.
Custody may be sole (one parent) or joint (shared).
They're fighting over custody of the kids.
She was awarded full custody.
Opposition between parties
- litigationLegal dispute process
- battleArmed military engagement
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
hostility · feud · disagreement · mediation · negotiation · settlement · compromise · contested
Tribunal for household legal matters
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- visitationOfficial or formal visit
- legal guardianCourt-appointed child protector
- attorneyLicensed legal representative
mediator · best interests · parental responsibility · family law · judge · court order · paternity · enforcement
Ordered configuration or agreement
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- parenting planDocument dividing child responsibilities
- stipulationCondition in an agreement
- termsConditions of an agreement
visitation schedule · holiday schedule · modification · co-parenting · alternating weeks · primary residence · pick-up · drop-off
One's optimal benefit
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- well-beingState of health, contentment
- safetyFreedom from harm
- nurtureSupport growth and development
protection · development · bonding · attachment · home study · living conditions · school district · routine
Court-appointed child protector
- wardProtected person; division
- conservatorshipCourt-appointed care management
- trusteeshipFiduciary guardianship position
- tutelageGuided instruction, oversight
conflict
Opposition between parties
- litigationLegal dispute process
- battleArmed military engagement
- contentionAssertion or rivalry
animosity · hostility · feud · disagreement · mediation · negotiation · settlement · compromise · contested · uncontested
family court
Tribunal for household legal matters
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- visitationOfficial or formal visit
- legal guardianCourt-appointed child protector
attorney · mediator · best interests · parental responsibility · family law · judge · court order · paternity · enforcement · modification
arrangement
Ordered configuration or agreement
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- parenting planDocument dividing child responsibilities
- stipulationCondition in an agreement
terms · visitation schedule · holiday schedule · modification · co-parenting · alternating weeks · primary residence · pick-up · drop-off · communication protocol
best interests
One's optimal benefit
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- well-beingState of health, contentment
- safetyFreedom from harm
nurture · protection · development · bonding · attachment · home study · living conditions · school district · routine · psychological evaluation
legal guardian
Court-appointed child protector
- wardProtected person; division
- conservatorshipCourt-appointed care management
- trusteeshipFiduciary guardianship position
tutelage · fiduciary · surrogate · foster care · kinship care
- divorcedivorce court, divorce decree, divorce papers, divorce filing, divorce lawyer
- family lawalimony, family court, divorce petitions, divorce law, divorce papers
- legal fieldscivil law, criminal law, administrative law, common law, civil procedure
- child custody
- child lawparental rights, legal guardian, guardianship rights, legal guardians, juvenile court
- custodyvisitation rights, supervised visitation, parenting time, visitation, supervised visits
child custodyadoption
Legal family formation
legal adoption · foster care · foster placement · ward of the state
child custodystate custody
Government holds legal guardianship
ward of the state · institutional care · institutionalization · juvenile detention · residential care
child, children, childish, childhood, custody, childbirth, childlike, custodian, childless