Homonym: custody (Detention)
Custody refers to the legal right to care for and make decisions about a child. It typically arises during divorce or separation when parents must determine who will have primary responsibility for the child's upbringing. There are different types of custody, including physical custody, which involves where the child lives, and legal custody, which pertains to the authority to make important decisions about the child's education, health, and welfare.
In custody arrangements, parents may share responsibilities through joint custody or designate one parent as the primary custodian with the other having visitation rights. Courts often consider the child's best interests when making custody decisions, taking into account factors like the child's age, needs, and the parents' ability to provide a stable environment.