Q. What is temporary custody?
Temporary custody may not be the final custody given to one of the parents. The court in some situations, may grant custody to one of the parents temporarily till a divorce or legal separation is finalized. This can give the parents options if they are not happy with the current custody arrangements. It may be granted by the court in the event of a divorce, legal separation or a restraining order against one of the parents.

Q. Can an unmarried mother give temporary custody of the child to a grandparent without the father's consent?
The mother of the child usually has all the rights to grant the child's custody to anybody if she is the primary custodian of the child. The father may request for custody of the child by petitioning the court if he thinks it is in the best interest of the child.

Q. For what period of time would a temporary custody order be active in the state of Alabama?
In Alabama, the order may be active and valid till the court finds someone who would be eligible to take complete custody of the child.

Q. If a parent who has the physical custody of the child is relocating to another place, can he/she request for temporary custody till the court makes other arrangements?
If the case for the child's custody is still on, the parent may be able to make such a request. The parent may have to prove in court that the move would not affect the best interest of the child and that he/she would still be able to stay in touch with the other parent.

Q. How can a person get temporary custody of a minor with the parents' consent in the state of Louisiana?
If an individual wants to look after a child's school and medical issues, he/she, along with both the child's parents may have to take temporary custody or temporary legal guardianship of the child from the court. The parents who grant this custody to the individual would have the right to suspend it at any time.

Q. If the mother of a child is deceased and the father cannot be found, can a step parent file for temporary custody of the child?
If the father of the child is not found and the mother is deceased, the step parent may be able to apply for temporary custody. The court may decide if the step-parent should be granted custody or not depending on what is in the best interest of the child. The court may take many factors into consideration like the financial stability of the step-parent, the school and environment of the child, the household and living conditions and other people who may live with the child.

There may be a time in a parent's life when he/she may have to turn over the care taking of his/her child to someone else for a short period of time. You can ask family lawyers about temporary custody and its legal aspects if you want to grant or receive the custody of a child for a short period of time and need more information as applicable in your individual circumstance.