Are you looking for the custody definition?

Custody refers to the legal relationship between a parent and a child that gives a parent the right and obligation to make decisions about the child’s upbringing, welfare, and care.

In the context of divorce or separation, custody refers to the determination of which parent will have legal responsibility for the child and make decisions on their behalf.

There are two types of custody: physical custody, which refers to where the child lives, and legal custody, which refers to the right to make decisions about the child’s upbringing and welfare. Joint custody is a type of custody arrangement where both parents share both physical and legal custody.

Custody Definition

Sole custody, on the other hand, refers to a situation where one parent has both physical and legal custody of the child. The determination of custody is typically based on the best interests of the child.

Under the Divorce Act, it’s where and with whom a child lives, and the guardian’s rights and responsibilities for the child. Under the BC Child, Family and Community Service Act, custody is similar.

What does legal responsibility for the child mean?

Legal responsibility for a child refers to the obligations and rights that a person has towards a child, as recognized and enforceable by the law. This includes making decisions about the child’s upbringing, welfare, and care, as well as being financially responsible for the child.

In the context of custody, legal responsibility for a child means that the parent with legal custody has the right to make important decisions about the child’s life, such as where they go to school, what type of medical treatment they receive, and what religious practices they follow.

The parent with legal custody is also responsible for ensuring that the child’s basic needs are met and that the child is protected from harm.

Custody Definition

In some cases, a court may also assign legal responsibility for a child to a non-parent, such as a grandparent or other relative, if it determines that it is in the child’s best interest. In such cases, the non-parent may have the right to make decisions about the child’s upbringing, welfare, and care, and may also be financially responsible for the child.

It is important to note that legal responsibility for a child is separate from physical custody, which refers to where the child lives. In some cases, a parent may have legal custody but not physical custody, or vice versa. In joint custody arrangements, both parents typically have both legal and physical custody of the child.

Legal responsibility for a child refers to the legal obligations and rights that a person has towards a child, as recognized and enforceable by the law, including making decisions about the child’s upbringing, welfare, and care, and being financially responsible for the child.

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Child Custody Definition