Joint-Custody

Please note that the legal information presented on this page is written for those living in the state of Illinois.

What Does it Mean?

Joint-custody means that two parents are equally responsible for taking care of a child. Both parents are considered the child's custodial parent.

Things You Should Know

If two parents of a child are married to or in a civil union with each other, they will have joint-custody.

Separated or unmarried parents can ask the court to give them joint-custody of a child. To do this, you will need to start a custody case. If you already have a custody order (parenting plan), you may be able to change (modify) it.

Definitions

Caretaking Functions

Caretaking functions refer to activities involving direct contact with a child, particularly those that relate to supervising and caring for a child. Caretaking functions include, but are not limited to the following activities: feeding and maintaining the child's health overseeing the development of critical skills, including language and motor

Modifying a Custody Arrangement

A parenting plan (custody order) can be modified to change which caretaker has custody of a child(s), but only within TWO (2) YEARS of its originally being ordered. Additionally, a modification will only be approved if you can show to a judge in court that doing so would be in the best interest of the child(s).Modifying a parenting plan may result

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (Custody)

The allocation of parental responsibilities, often referred to as "child custody", legally determines which caretaker(s) is responsible for the caretaking functions of a child(s). A custody arrangement becomes legally binding through a parenting plan that is approved and ordered by a judge in court. Oftentimes, only one caretaker is given primary

Temporary Custody

Temporary custody is a temporary allocation of parental responsibilities (custody) to you, your spouse or partner, or both. This temporary allocation can only be made while the two of you are legally separated, and/or are currently in the process of divorcing or dissolving your civil union.If temporary custody is ordered, one parent will become the

Relocation

Relocation is defined as moving over 25 miles from one's current place of residence to a new place of residence.If you have been allocated parental responsibilities (child custody) or parenting time (visitation rights), you MUST provide the child's other parent with a notice of motion at least 60 days prior to the intended date of relocation.The mo

Custodial Parent

The custodial parent is the legal parent of a child that is primarily responsible for the caretaking functions for a child. In other words, a custodial parent is the child's main caregiver. If the child has another other legal parent in addition to their custodial parent, that other parent would be the child's non-custodial parent. A person can bec

Tax Exemptions for Minor Children

Tax exemptions for minor children, otherwise known as dependency exemptions, is a certain amount of income related to the cost of caring for and raising a minor chid(s) that is deducted from one's annual tax payments.If you are the legal parent, or have been allocated parental responsibilities (custody) of a minor child(s) you may be able to claim

Parenting Plan

A parenting plan is a legally-binding document that orders the allocation of parental responsibilities (custody arrangement), parenting time (visitation rights), or both.The content of a parenting plan may include, but is not limited to the following information:which parent(s) has primary custody of the child(s)how much parenting time (visitation

Non-Custodial Parent

The non-custodial parent is the legal parent of a child, but is NOT their primary caregiver. Instead, the custodial parent is the child's main caregiver and has primary custody. Unless it has been ordered otherwise by a parenting plan, the child's biological mother will typically be their custodial parent.If two parents have joint-custody, both par

Show all related Definitions

Hide all related Definitions

Definitions

Relocation

Modifying a Custody Arrangement

Custodial Parent

Caretaking Functions

Tax Exemptions for Minor Children

Parenting Plan

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (Custody)

Temporary Custody

Non-Custodial Parent

Hide all related Definitions

Joint-Custody

What Does it Mean?

Things You Should Know

See Related

Definitions

Definitions

Articles

Articles