Definition

1. Noun:
   • A legal action to determine custody: A "custody case" is a formal legal proceeding, typically in a family court, where a judge decides which parent or guardian will have the legal right and responsibility to care for a child or children. This most commonly occurs following a divorce or separation of the parents.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The divorce was amicable, but they still had to go through a custody case for their two sons.
  • The judge's ruling in the high-profile custody case was announced yesterday.
  • Her lawyer specializes in complex custody cases.

Advanced Usage

• "to be involved in a custody case": to be a party (a parent or guardian) in such a legal proceeding.
  • He didn't want to put the children through the stress of being involved in a custody case.
• "to settle a custody case": to reach an agreement in such a proceeding, often out of court.
  • The parents decided to mediate and settled the custody case privately.

Variants and Related Words

• Custody (n): the protective care or guardianship of someone, especially a child.
  • The mother was awarded sole custody.
• Custody battle (n): a particularly contentious or adversarial custody case.
  • The lengthy custody battle was covered extensively in the media.
• Child custody (n): the specific legal term for the care, control, and maintenance of a child.
  • The court will make a decision on child custody.

Synonyms

• Child custody proceeding: A more formal synonym.
• Custody proceeding: A slightly more general term.

Related Phrases

• To file for custody: to initiate a custody case by submitting legal documents.
  • She decided to file for custody after the separation.
• To win/lose custody: to be granted or denied custody as a result of a custody case.
  • He was afraid he would lose custody in the upcoming hearing.

Noun

1. a legal action to determine custody (usually of children following a divorce)