What Determines Primary Caregiver

While each state governs what determines primary caregiver, common rules apply. A primary caregiver in a child custody case is usually the custodial parent or guardian with whom a minor spends the majority of time in residence. State agencies may provide forms for submitting information to the court to substantiate claims. Proving permanent residency requires a responsible adult to submit signed affidavits or lease agreements showing the minor's name and birth date on the contract. Usually, a child must live with a primary caregiver more than three quarters of the year. During those nine months, the custodial parent may need to keep records of school attendance; medical and dental records; receipts for clothing, food, and recreation; and a calendar notating visits from a non-custodial parent. A calendar kept throughout the year will provide a running record of the minor's activities, including dates, times and places the youth interacted with the adult responsible for ongoing care. Special attention should be taken to note dates and times a non-custodial parent missed appointments or was late returning the child.



In complying with the court's requirement for what determines primary caregiver, a custodian or guardian should contact the child's school and request a copy of admission records. Registration records will indicate the date a minor was enrolled at the school, along with the custodial parent or guardian's signature. Classroom attendance records will prove helpful, along with absences, and doctor's excuses provided by the child's guardian or custodian. What determines primary caregiver will be easily proven by confidential records routinely kept by school administrators and teachers. The same procedure applies for under aged children in day care. Child care providers should be able to produce a record of an infant or toddler's enrollment; name of parent, guardian or foster parent; dates attended; and payments made.



Most healthcare facilities will release records of patient care to meet the state's requirement for what determines primary caregiver. Since minors must be accompanied by adults for treatment, the custodian or guardian's signature will be on record at the doctor or dentist's office. An authorization for treatment of a minor will confirm a primary caregiver's role in attending to the child's needs on a regular basis throughout the year. Insurance cards, cancelled checks, or payment ledgers may also substantiate claims in meeting state requirements for what determines primary caregiver. State child support agencies can provide applicants with a list of acceptable documentation. Compiling information might be tedious, but in the long run having a significant amount of paperwork to collaborate a caregiver's claim will likely meet with court approval. "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;" (I Peter 2:12-13).



Custodial parents or guardians who are successful in proving what determines primary caregiver may benefit emotionally and monetarily. Very few occupations are as rewarding as taking care of young people. They say it takes a village to raise a child; and certainly, within that village there must be at least one adult willing to invest time, money, affection, and life's necessities for the sake of a little one. Kids have the potential to excel when caring adults take time to nurture them. Raising a child up in the nurture and admonishment of the Lord Jesus Christ is a way of making a lifelong investment in their little souls. "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him" (Genesis 18:19).



While money is a consideration, a custodial parent or guardian should be willing to make a personal sacrifice to see that youth feel loved and wanted. Because the state recognizes that raising a child in today's economy can be a challenge, custodians and guardians may qualify for social service benefits, such as food stamps, clothing and rental vouchers, or vouchers for certain commodities such as milk, cheese, eggs or staples. State programs offer aid to dependent children of single and foster parents to help offset the expense of childrearing. Some state-supported programs provide discounted day care, after school tutoring, free lunches, or school supplies. Working hand in hand with custodians and guardians who meet the requirements for what determines primary caregiver, state agencies ensure that no child is left behind.



When an individual or married couple decides to be responsible for a child's upbringing, there is comfort in knowing their parentage or guardianship will not be challenged. A dependent minor needs to know that they will have a permanent residence in a nurturing, loving environment that is safe and secure. Children need the stability that a primary caregiver can provide. While the non-custodial parent's role in a child's upbringing is essential, kids need rules, regulations, or routines to help guide them along life's pathway. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). The routine of going to the same school, playing with friends, doing homework and interacting with a responsible, caring adult can help youngsters adjust to the separation, divorce or death of parents. Compliance with what determines primary caregiver is, therefore, an essential component of providing children with the necessary tools to succeed and thrive in life.