Third-party custody

In some custody situations, it is possible that the child/children will not remain with either of their natural, biological, parents, but instead custody is awarded to a third person Generally speaking, third-party custody occurs when one of two options occur:.[1]

  • The biological parents do not want custody of the child/children.
  • The biological parents are incapable of caring for the child/children.
Family law
Family
Marriage and other
equivalent or similar unions and status
Validity of marriages
Dissolution of marriages
Other issues
Private international law
Family and criminal code
(or criminal law)

Voluntary relinquishment

Occasionally, parents will agree to allow an adult (who is not either of the two parents) to raise their child/children. Generally, if either parent changes his/her mind later in the child's life, he/she has the option to seek custody at that point.[1]

Unfit parents

Custody may be awarded to a third adult (who is not either of the two parents) because the parents both seemed unfit to do so. Reasons that the court would retain authority over the child/children and later award custody to a third adult include:[1]

  • Child abuse/neglect.
  • Substance abuse.
  • Deliberate desertion/abandonment of the child/children.
  • Inability to provide an adequate income which is necessary for the raising of a child.

See also

References
  1. Webster Watnik (April 2003). Child Custody Made Simple: Understanding the Laws of Child Custody and Child Support. Single Parent Press. pp. 16–38. ISBN 978-0-9649404-3-7. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
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