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Custodial Parent

Children that live in a traditional home with both parents have two custodial parents. The parents are recognized without the need for any legal agreements. In most cases the custodial parent is the one that the child resides with full time. Because not all parents have full time custody of their children the need for some type of binding agreement may be necessary to determine who is the reliable parent for custody.

The custodial parent and the rights they have will depend on different factors. It can depend on who has physical custody of the child or who has legal custody. If the custodial parent’s rights are violated, there can be legal consequence. This includes orders of contempt and criminal charges. Determining how this can happen or what to do if it does happen requires the legal assistance of someone that specializes in custodial parents and their rights.

People often have the following types of questions:

  • Who decides where the child lives?
  • What is a custodial parent?
  • Who makes decisions for the child?
  • Who gets to decide a child’s medical care?
  • Who gets to make schooling or educational decisions for the child?
  • What do you need to do to become a the parent for custody?
  • How do I get to be the custodial parent?
  • What is the difference between a custodial and non-custodial parent?
  • What are the rights of the parent?
  • Can the parent move the child to where ever they want?
  • Why does a custodial parent always get to receive child support?
  • Does a the parent ever have to pay child support?
  • How do I know if I am the parent for custody?
  • Who decides which parent gets to be the custodial parent?
  • Why does the mother always get to be that parent?
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