The best interests of the child is a court doctrine used in custody proceedings when two parents are contesting custody of the child. Courts use this doctrine to make decisions regarding which parent will have custody of the child, the nature...
juvenile law
capacity
Capacity refers to the ability to make a rational decision based upon all relevant facts and considerations. Some common usages of the term “capacity” in a legal sense include:
In the context of criminal law, the term “capacity” means...change of circumstances
A change of circumstances refers to the showing required by a party seeking to modify a prior child support, spousal support, or custody order. Generally, the change in circumstances must be substantial in nature and due to facts that were...
child
Under the law, a child usually refers to an individual who is a minor, who is below legal age or the age of majority. The age of majority being 18 in most states. Being below the age of majority means that the child will have fewer rights but...
child custody
Child Custody: An Overview
Child custody issues arise most commonly in cases of divorce. The court of jurisdiction for the divorce proceedings also determines child custody arrangements. Under the common statutory provision, if the spouses...
Child Online Privacy Act
The Child Online Privacy Act concerns internet privacy for children. It was passed in 1998 and codified at 15 U.S.C. § 6501-6506. The law is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, applying the regulations recorded at 16 C.F.R. § 312....
child support
Child Support: An Overview
Child support refers to the sum that the noncustodial parent must pay to the custodian. This sum serves as a parental contribution for the child's basic living expenses, such as food, clothing, shelter, health care...
children's rights
The term "child" does not necessarily mean a minor, and can include adult children as well as adult non-dependent children. Children are generally afforded the basic rights embodied by the Constitution.
The Equal Protection...
cohabitation
Cohabitation is used primarily to denote the arrangement between two individuals who live together, either as spouses or unmarried partners.
Some common uses of the term “cohabitation” in a legal sense include:
...competence
Competence is the capacity or minimal ability to do something; the mental and physical ability to carry out a given task. A few examples are: competence to stand trial, competence to be executed, competence to hold public office, and...