noun phrase · formal
child custody
/tʃaɪld ˈkʌstədi/CHILD CUS·to·dy
The legal right to care for and make decisions about a child after parents separate or divorce.
Examples
“After the divorce, they battled for child custody for months.”
“Courts decide child custody based on the child's best interests.”
“Discussing child custody arrangements is common in essays about family law.”
Band 8 sentence
“When parents separate, the court determines child custody arrangements by prioritising stability and the child's welfare.”
Collocations
- grant child custody
- sole/joint custody
Word family
Common mistakes
children custody→child custody
have the custody→have custody
Say it for a higher band
5who looks after the child→6custodial rights→7+child custody
Synonyms
custodial rights
Easily confused
guardianship
“After the accident, a relative petitioned for guardianship of the children.”
Related words
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In Family & Relationships
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