Child Custody Definition: Child custody can become an issue when parents with children divorce or separate. This breakdown in the parents relationship will require a restructuring of the family. Parental custody rights, responsibilities and the type and amount of contact the children have with each parent will need to be sorted out. If parents cannot work out and agree on responsibilities and a parenting arrangement, the court will step in to make a legal custody and physical custody determination, typically using the "best interest of the child" standard.

Child Custody Rights: When parents are married they typically have equal parenting rights and share guardianship over their children, and upon separation, have an equal right to child custody. Parents who are not married may not get the same benefit of these presumed child custody rights upon separation. It may depend on your state child custody laws and statutes.

Child Custody Laws: Each state has its own child custody visitation statutes for making custody awards or modifications, but most all use some form of the "best interest of the child" standard, taking into consideration any relevant factors that pertain to the health, safety and welfare of the child. Joint custody statutes, child custody for fathers, mothers rights, grandparent visitation rights and domestic violence and child custody laws can vary by state.