What Is the Non-Custodial Parent Responsible For?

If you’re facing a custody battle or dealing with a new custody arrangement, you may be wondering, what are the responsibilities of the non-custodial parent. In many child custody arrangements, the non-custodial parent will play an important role in the child’s upbringing and well-being.

Primary custody is not a necessary requirement to have a relationship with or an influence on a child. This is why it is important to fully understand the legal terminology of a custody order. Clarifying each parent’s responsibilities can foster a more cooperative parenting relationship and ensure the child’s needs are always prioritized. Some of the most common duties that a non-custodial parent can be responsible for include the following.

Financial Support

Financial support is a common type of support a non-custodial parent offers a child. This can come in many different forms, such as child support payments, which is a way to ensure a child’s most basic needs are always covered. These funds, which typically come from the non-custodial parent, can help to cover the cost of things like food, shelter and clothing for a child.

Visitation and Parenting Time

Non-custodial parents are also responsible for taking advantage of opportunities to maintain a relationship with their child. One of the most effective ways to foster healthy parent-child relationships is through parenting time, otherwise known as possession and access to the child. This allows a non-custodial parent to stay actively involved in their child’s life through an organized schedule. The court will typically establish a schedule that includes regular days, holidays, and vacation periods.

Emotional and Educational Support

Just like the custodial parent, non-custodial parents are also responsible for providing much-needed emotional and educational support as their child grows up. From an emotional support standpoint, this may involve being present for a child regardless of how much distance may be between you and your child. It can even include phone calls or video chats, to maintain a good relationship when physical visits may be less frequent.

When it comes to education, non-custodial parents should remain actively involved by helping their child with their homework, attending parent-teacher conferences, and staying as informed as possible on how their child is progressing academically. Being engaged in a child’s educational development is one way to show that you care just as much about the child’s learning and growth as the custodial parent.

Respecting the Custodial Parent’s Role

To successfully co-parent with another individual, you will need to prioritize collaboration and respect. It’s important for non-custodial parents to honor any custody orders that have been formally issued by the court. If any parent is found to be undermining a parent’s authority in front of the child or towards the child, this may have negative consequences.

Respecting the role of the custodial parent also means being proactive in how you communicate. It’s important to share updated information about the child’s activities, health, and schooling to ensure that you are always on the same page as the custodial parent. When this level of cooperation is evident, it fosters the type of stable environment a child needs to thrive.

Adapting to Changing Circumstances

It’s expected that family dynamics and circumstances will change over time. However, it’s important for both the custodial and non-custodial parent to be prepared to adapt to these changes. For example, a non-custodial parent might need to relocate to chase a better job opportunity, which could mean more support and a better living situation for their child. The more the custodial parent shows they are willing to be flexible and adjust their schedule in a child’s life, the more positively they may be viewed by the court.

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Contact the Walke-Wilson Firm Today

If you are a parent looking for guidance on child support, visitation, custody modifications, or any other matter that falls under the family law umbrella, contact our firm today. Our experienced team is committed to providing the type of results-driven representation you need to foster a cooperative parenting relationship while also protecting the rights of you and your child.