Divorce Dex.com: Primary Caretaker

Definition Primary Caretaker - the parent who provides majority of the child’s day-to-day care.

Application in Divorce In an intact family, a child’s parents are his or her caretakers. In divorce, a child’s primary caretaker is the custodial parent, which usually means his or her mother. Even when the parents share legal custody, the parent who is responsible for a child on a day-to-day basis, the one who maintains the child’s primary residence, is said to be the primary caretaker.

Don't Forget to Visit Our Online Support Community

Your Suggestion

Questions & Answers

Contribute Question/Answer

Helpful Tips & Facts

Primary Caregiver - Single Parenting
A primary caregiver -- particularly when she is a single mother with one or two small children -- had a tough set of marching orders. The stresses of even ordinary life, when nothing in particular goes wrong in a big way, make her lot difficult. Very often a primary caregiver finds herself emotionally at the edge. A former spouse, in the best of situations, can help somewhat, and this is another reasons to try to achieve as good as possible a working relationship with a former husband.

Contributed on 7/31/2007 by: DivorceDex.com Staff
Category: Parenting (Applicable in All States)
The Children Maintaining a Relationship with The Estranged Parent
The courts have ways of enforcing support but not visitation. While it is fairly common for parents to feel strongly about visitation, sometimes the noncustodial parent (usually the father) drifts away physically and emotionally. The custodial parent (usually the mother) normally cannot do much about this except keep in touch with the former spouse and make him
(or her) know that visits are possible.

Contributed on 7/31/2007 by: DivorceDex.com Staff
Category: Parenting (Applicable in All States)
Visitation Time - A Positive for Both Parents
When a woman is a primary caretaker, a former spouse’s visitation becomes important to her for another reason: she may look forward to his time with the children as a much needed break for herself. Unfortunately, sometimes this can become a tool in the hands of a noncustodial parent. The failure to exercise visitation can be a major source of friction between formerly married parents. Very often a custodial parent (usually the mother) finds herself overwhelmed by the difficulties of solo parenting, and she longs for a break in the routine that noncustodial visitation provides.

Contributed on 7/31/2007 by: DivorceDex.com Staff
Category: Visitation (Applicable in All States)

Contribute Tip/Fact

Additional Resources

Report Broken Link

The Discount Divorce Bookstore Discounts

Visit the Original Online Divorce Bookstore for quick and easy access to quality books, manuals, divorce forms, software and other divorce related products. The store delivers you these products in a confidential and secure fashion with excellent customer satisfaction. All of our products are in stock and are shipped to you within one business day of the order by U.S. Priority Mail. Help Us - Help You.

Browse the Store Categories...

Books We Publish	Child Support	Children and Divorce
Custody & Visitation	Divorce (General)	Do It Yourself Divorce
Domestic Abuse	Friendly Divorce	Grandparent’s Rights
Infidelity	Mediation	Men Only
Military Divorce	Property and Financial Aspects	Recovery From Divorce
Religion and Spirituality	Saving Marriage	Separation
Women Only

Find Divorce Professionals We have an ever-growing list of divorce professionals that contribute to DivorceDex.com. To view a list of professionals in your area, please select your state: ALERT: If you are a divorce professional (attorney, mediator, counselor, financial planner, etc.) generating new clients by joining the directory is easy and free.

Home

Forums

FastFacts

#350: Divorce brings out two very common misconceptions. People believe that money will make them happier and that the court and justice system will see that they receive what they deserve.

FastFact Sponsor
QdroDesk.com

QDRO Preparation - QdroDesk™ is an industry proven online service providing an instant, easy, accurate, and affordable method for obtaining Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs).

Online Divorce - With or without children, 123DivorceMe.com is the fastest, easiest, and most affordable way to file your own uncontested divorce.

Online Parenting Class - Avoid the hassle of completing the mandatory course by taking the "Positive Parenting Through Divorce" class online.

Due to the possibility of unanticipated or unexpected changes in state statutes and related case law the information contained on this page and/or with in this online divorce information index, the owners and any and all persons or entities involved in any way in creation and management of the website and service disclaim all responsibility for the legal effects or consequences of the interpretation or use of the information provided in any way. Those individuals that are in need of legal advice are encouraged to contact a lawyer. You may locate a lawyer in our Find Professionals Area.

Terms & Conditions | Contact Us | Link to DivorceDex

Divorce Source, Inc.
You may reproduce materials available on this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement. Violation of this notice may result in immediate legal action.