Child Custody Law

Child Custody Law & Complete Procedure is dealt in the present write up. Child Custody cases involves both parents involved in a matrimonial dispute to establish that one is better than the other. Allegations are levelled to score over each other. Most forgotten questions in such allegations are the presentation of facts to establish that how action of each parent will serve the best interest and welfare of the child(ren).

Legal regime regarding child custody cases and law have shaped over the years. There has been continuous efforts to bring the focus on the need and welfare of the child by way of various pronouncement. Our experience tells us the best outcome lies when both parents consent to an arrangement regarding children in the manner that it advance the cause of holistic growth of the child.

Laws dealing with a child custody case can be divided under following :

Laws Governing Child Custody in India

In India, child custody cases are governed under following law.

1. Guardian and Wards Act, 1890
2. Section 26 of HMA
3. Section 21 of the Domestic Violence Act
4. Article 32/226 of Constitution of India in exceptional cases

Place of Filing a Child Custody case in India

Child custody cases are filed in the jurisdiction of the family court/competent court where minor child ordinarily resides. For example, father is living in Mumbai. Mother is living in Delhi along with minor child. If father wants to file Child Custody, he has to file the same only in Delhi. Thus, family court or concerned competent court shall have the exclusive jurisdiction over the child custody case to the exclusion of all other courts.

Key Factors & Grounds while deciding the Child Custody cases in India

All courts seized of child custody cases are duty bound to consider welfare of the minor child or children as the case may be. Parent seeking child custody has to prove that interest and welfare of the child shall be protected by him/her much better than the respondent/ opposite party.

Following are the broad parameters that court considers while deciding the issue of child custody:-

• Child’s proximity, closeness and love for the parent
• whether uprooting of the child from one parent to another will be adverse to the interest and welfare of the child
• Educational qualification of respective spouses and of their immediate respective family members.
• Wishes of the minor child, if he can form opinion on his own
• Financial status of parties(Not too predominant as generally believed upon)
• Performances and achievements in curricular and co-curricular activities
• Overall behaviour and conduct of parties

Procedure to file the Child Custody cases in India

A petition for child custody or declaration regarding appointment of natural or legal guardian of minor starts child with the filing of the petition by the spouse seeking child custody. Notably, in child custody cases non-custodial parent seeks the custody/guardianship of the minor child. Such petition usually takes longer time and thus application for Interim or Temporary custody as well as Visitation Rights are also filed by the Non-custodial parent.

VISITATION RIGHTS Visitation Rights implies regular meeting of the minor child with the non-custodial parent. General duration of visitation rights varies from 1-4 meetings per month.

INTERIM CUSTODY Interim Custody implies generally overnight custody or long hours of custody for a defined period to the non-custodial parent with undertaking to restore the custody of the child upon completing the defined time by handing the child back to the Custodial parent.Custodial parent is required to give response to the petition following which evidence are led by both parents. After closure of evidence of by both parents and their respective witnesses, if any, follows with final arguments and consequent judgement.

How much time does it take for deciding the child custody cases

Timing of filing such petition is utter importance. Delay is to to be avoided.

• Child custody cases are emotionally taxing for parties, concerned counsels, as well as the Judge(s).
• Generally, the age of majority is eighteen years and in some cases it is twenty-one years.
• Nowadays courts often take the helps of experts such as counsellors, psychologist or other specialist dealing with issues of child custody.
• It is extremely interesting to note that all judgements that attain finality bound parties with the final outcome. However, the decision or the judgements of child custody cases are never final. It is a departure from the general law. To explain further, Custody of Child has been awarded by judgement or by mutual consent to one of the parent. However, the welfare of the child is prejudiced by the acts and omission of the custodial parent then non-custodial parent can file child custody petition to reclaim the custody on the basis of change of circumstances demonstrating  to the Court that Custodial parent is acting contrary to the interest and welfare of the child(ren).