Child Custody

What Is Child Custody?

Child custody is the legal term referring to the authority given to the parent/s to make major and long-term decisions regarding the child’s upbringing, including education, healthcare and religion.

Child Custody
Child Custody

What Are the Types of Child Custody Orders?

There are commonly two types of child custody orders in Singapore, as follows:

Joint Custody

Custody of the child is shared by both parents, which means that both parents are granted equal rights to make major decisions regarding their child’s life. Here, the parents need to facilitate open communication and reach a mutual agreement for every major decision involved in raising their child.

Joint custody is preferred by the Singapore Courts as this order recognises the value that each parent can contribute to the life of a child. It also imparts a key message that neither parent is better than the other, and so it fosters cooperation and respect between the two.

Sole Custody

Custody of the child is given to only one parent or guardian. There are certain situations in which the Court finds this order suitable, as follows:
  • The parents’ relationship has completely deteriorated, prohibiting clear and harmonious communication.
  • One parent has already given up or renounced the child’s custody to the other parent.
  • One parent has been found to have abused the child in the past.
The parent having sole custody does not however have the sole discretion to change the child’s surname or to relocate out of Singapore with the child and the consent of the other parent would still be required in such circumstances.

Care and Control - How Is It Different from Child Custody?

As mentioned above, custody of a child in Singapore refers to decision-making rights for the child with regards to upbringing and major life decisions. Care and control, meanwhile, is concerned with day-to-day matters of the child, including deciding where the child will live, what he or she will eat, etc. Typically, the child would live most of the time with the parent having care and control. The parent who is not granted care and control can still be given access to the child, referring to visitation rights or ‘contact’. Dispute usually arises over the issue of which parent has care and control as compared to which parent has custody though the two concepts are often conflated.

What Are the Types of Care and Control Orders?

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How can we determine what type of Child Custody and Care and Control orders apply?

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What are the rights of the parent who does not have custody and/or care and control?

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Who Are Child Custody Lawyers?

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If you may face a child custody dispute, please speak to us today. At Amy Lim Law Practice, our team of Singapore divorce lawyers are dedicated to protecting you and your child’s best interests. We understand the complexities of child custody cases and are here to guide you through the process.
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