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Child custody rights in India



The process of divorce is not easy, however, once an order for divorce is made, it has a greater impact on the child than the spouse and husband. If both parents dispute custody of their children or Child Custody, the Court may intervene to examine what will be the best option for the child, before giving the child custody.


The days are gone that the Mother was favored in granting custody rights to the children. The Mother as well as the father share the right to request custody for their children since they are both entitled to child custody. Court has always placed the interests and welfare of the child at the top priority and not only parents' rights.

What does the Court will be looking for when giving custody to a child?

Prior to granting custody rights to either the Mother or father The Court looks at various aspects that will benefit the child. These include, but aren't limited to:

  • Stable and safe home environment for the parents could offer

  • The quality of the parent-child bond between every parent

  • A parent's commitment to have custody over the child

  • The emotional, physical and mental well-being for the infant

  • The desire of the child

  • Every proof of domestic abuse physical, mental, or verbal

  • Ethical and safe keeping for the infant

  • The desires of the deceased parent, If there is any

  • If the custody is for several children the Court grants custody in order to be shared

Statutory Rights:

Child custody laws are governed by the marital statutes, which are controlled by personal law. In addition, there is The Guardians and Wards Act 1890 (GAWA) that governs the child custody issues in India in addition to various personal law. The law provides regulations as well as redress for custodial disputes regardless of religion of parents or child. The act is read in conjunction to the personal law governing child custody.

Custody under Hindu Laws:

As per the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act 1956, the custody of all children under five years old (5)is given to the mother. For an unmarried boy or girl older than five fathers get control... The section 26 in the Hindu Marriages Act, 1955 permits the Court to make interim decisions and to make rules regarding the care, maintenance and the education of children in accordance to their desires and to cancel, suspend or modify any orders previously passed.

Custody under Christian Laws:

In accordance with Section 41 of the Indian Divorce Act 1869 judges have the power to make orders concerning care, instruction,, and the care and maintenance of minor children in the event of a suit to obtain an order of separation.

Custody under Parsi Laws:

In accordance with Section 49 of The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act 1935, courts are empowered to issue orders regarding care, custody, and the care and maintenance of minor children in all suits where the matter of suit is the marriage between parents.

Custody under Muslim Laws:

Under the rights of Hizanat the child's custody is guaranteed by the child remains in the hands of the mother up to seven years old and then the girl reaches puberty. The mother is not denied this right, in the event of being deemed not fit.

If a marriage is legally registered in accordance with the Special Marriage Act, 1954 Section 38 of the Act contains provisions related to the care of minor children. The District court has the power to issue interim orders and to make rules regarding custody, education, and support of children in accordance in accordance with the child's wishes.

Do parents with more financially stable finances win the custody?

It's not really. Financial status of a parent isn't a guarantee of gaining custody of the child. Parents' ability to raise ethically responsible matters when it comes to granting custody to the child. Financial support is an essential part, however that does not guarantee custody when in reality, the mother or father aren't able to provide the emotional and basic assistance that the child needs.

Does a mother have the right to block dad from seeing his child?

But only if it is proven that the involvement of the father is not in the best interests of the child. If the father's involvement is proven incompetent as a parent or committed any violent act, he could absolutely be denied any right to visitation in order to safeguard the child.

How does a mother beat the custody battle for her child?

As we mentioned that custody rights have changed to be gender-neutral. mother and father are entitled to equally rights to claim custody. The mother should be able to demonstrate that the father is not fit to be parent and in a position to care for the child through gathering evidence through documentation. The Mother must prove giving parental custody of the father isn't an appropriate decision for the child.


Does child custody have the ability to be modified or changed?

If there's any major alteration in the conditions following the court's final order or custody determinations for the child could change. The conditions in which the Court modifies the child custody decision are:

  • In the event that one parent violates the court's existing decision

  • If there is any domestic violence or violence is taking place in the house of the parent that is currently in charge for the child

  • If the caretaker has lost the capacity to satisfy the child's demands

  • If the parent who has the current custody of the child has moved to a point that the present order is impossible to comply with.

  • In the event that the current arrangement does not serve the child's greatest interest or the child's demands have changed


Kinds of custody for children

The court must decide on what's most beneficial for the child with regards to health as well as maintenance, education, as well as overall health. Courts have repeatedly and repeatedly stressed that the wellbeing of the child is their primary consideration, not based on any claims made by the people who have custody.Depending upon a myriad of elements, courts determine who will be awarded child custody


Physical custody: Physical custody of the child is going to be granted to either the father or mother. One parent that has custody of the child is also the guardian in charge. Other parents will be granted the right to visit once one week or fortnight, or, sometimes, once per month, as the situation may be.

Legal custody - Both parents are entitled to take important decisions like admission to educational institutions and the kind of medical treatment to be offered, and so on. While physical custody may be granted to just one parent that can make the decisions in a day-to-day manner and both parents, as legal guardians for the child may be involved in significant issues pertaining to the child.

Parents who share custody may alternate in maintaining the child's custody. The time that a child is in custody for one parent can range between a couple of days or even a whole month. If you have joint custody, your child also benefits because the child can enjoy the help of both parents in the early years of his or her life.

Sole custody is granted if one parent is found to not be able to take custody of the child. Court in the absence of any other alternative provides the other parent eligible for sole parental rights to the child.

Third parent custody The custody of a third party , apart from the parents who are biological is granted care through the Court.



Who else is entitled to claim child custody?

The care of the child is usually claimed by the father or mother. If both die, the child's paternal or maternal grandparents, or any other relatives of the child are able to have custody of the child, however only under strict care to rear the child. In some cases like the one mentioned previously the Court can give custody to an outside individual.


What is the method used to calculate child maintenance?

In determining the cost of the care of children, the position of both parties and the legitimate needs of the child will be taken into consideration. The child's maintenance must include provisions for clothing, food, housing, medical monitoring of the child.


Who will pay the child support?

The rules governing the parenting of children and parents are protected by various Statutes.

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