Rights and Duties of Parents in Custody Cases

Rights and Duties of Parents in Custody Cases

1. Designate the primary residence of the child;
2. Consent to medical, dental, and surgical treatment involving invasive procedures;
3. Consent to psychiatric and psychological treatment;
4. Receive and give receipt for periodic payments for the support of the child and to hold or disburse these funds for the benefit of the child;
5. Represent the child in legal action and to make other decisions of substantial legal significance concerning the child;
6. Consent to marriage and to enlistment in the armed forces of the United States;
7. Make decisions concerning the child’s education;
8. Right to the services and earnings of the child; and
9. The right to act as an agent of the child in relation to the child’s estate of the child’s action is required by a state, the United States, or a foreign government, except when a guardian of the child’s estate or a guardian or attorney ad litem has been appointed for the child.

Some rights, such as designating primary residence, is left to custodial parent.

Generally, under the family code, parents have the rights and duties listed above; however, look at the custody order or Final Divorce decree for specific rights and duties.