Understanding Child Custody: A Legal and Emotional Perspective
When parents separate or divorce, one of the most sensitive and complex issues they face is determining child custody. Child custody refers to the legal and practical relationship between a parent and child, including the right to make decisions for the child and the duty to care for them. The primary focus in any custody decision is the best interests of the child. Types of Child Custody Legal CustodyThis gives a parent the right to make major decisions about the child’s upbringing, such as education, healthcare, and religious instruction. Legal custody can be: Sole Legal Custody: Only one parent has the decision-making authority. Joint Legal Custody: Both parents share the responsibility of making key decisions. Physical CustodyThis determines with whom the child will live. It can be: Sole Physical Custody:…