Practical Legal Guidance
Child Custody
The legal right and responsibility to care for and make decisions concerning a minor child.
Detailed Meaning
Custody disputes determine which parent (or, occasionally, another guardian) a minor child resides with and who exercises decision-making authority over their welfare, with courts guided principally by the paramount consideration of the child's welfare rather than either parent's competing claim as of right.
Authoritative Sources & Provenance
Relevant Legislation
- The Guardians and Wards Act, 1890
Related Concepts
General legal information for reference only, reviewed for accuracy but not a substitute for advice from a qualified advocate on your specific facts.