Custody of children after a divorce in Poland

1. INTRODUCTION

In a divorce verdict the court decides on parental custody over the common minor child of both spouses and decides how each spouse is obliged to bear the costs of raising the child. The court may give the custody to one parent by limiting the parental authority of the other to the specific duties.

2. COMMON CHILDREN IN A DIVORCE

Minors are those who are not of legal age. Common children are children born both during the marriage and before or after the marriage, as well as adopted by both spouses or by one of the spouses.

3. TRANSFER OF THE PARENT'S PARENTING AUTHORITY AFTER A DIVORCE

It is also permissible to leave full parental cusotdy to both divorced spouses. Such a decision can not, however, be regarded as a rule. It requires from the parents to be able to exercise joint parental responsibility in a manner consistent with the interests of the child.

4. TRANSFER OF THE PARENTAL AUTHORITY TO ONE PARENT AFTER A DIVORCE

In the case of entrusting the custody to only one parent, the court is required to specify in a verict in a concrete manner what duties and rights the other parent has with respect to a child.