Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

The allocation of parental responsibilities refers to those situations not arising out of a divorce or paternity proceeding. These are usually situations in which a child is living with a third party, maybe a relative or a friend, and the issues of decision-making, parenting time, and/or child support need to be addressed for that child. Generally, as long as a child has lived with the third party for at least six months, the court may allocate parental responsibilities (decision-making and parenting time) to the third party and may order the parent(s) to pay child support to the third party if appropriate.