custody
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custody
The legally defined right and duty of parents to care for their minor child, raise the child, and represent the child legally.
Nach der Scheidung wurde den Eltern das gemeinsame Sorgerecht für die Kinder zugesprochen.
After the divorce, the parents were granted joint custody of the children.
'Sorgerecht' is made up of 'Sorge' (care, here in the sense of caregiving) and 'Recht' (right). So it is literally the 'right to provide care.'
Das Sorgerecht ist ein zentraler Punkt bei vielen Scheidungen.
Custody is a central issue in many divorces.
This legal word is often combined with certain verbs and adjectives: 'das Sorgerecht haben' (to have custody), 'beantragen' (to apply for), or 'entziehen' (to revoke), as well as 'das alleinige' (sole) or 'gemeinsame Sorgerecht' (joint custody).
Sie kämpft vor Gericht um das alleinige Sorgerecht für ihren Sohn.
She is fighting in court for sole custody of her son.
To express whom the custody applies to, you use the preposition 'für' (for) followed by the accusative.
Die Eltern teilen sich das Sorgerecht für die beiden Töchter.
The parents share custody of the two daughters.
care
'die Obhut' and 'das Sorgerecht' both have to do with responsibility for a child. 'Obhut' describes more the actual care and protection in a specific situation. For example, a child can be 'in der Obhut der Großeltern' (in the grandparents' care) for a weekend. 'Sorgerecht', on the other hand, is a legal term. It describes who is officially allowed to make decisions and has the duty to care for a minor child. Learners may confuse the words because both are connected with children and responsibility. Memory tip: 'Obhut' is care and protection in everyday life, while 'Sorgerecht' is the legal right and legal duty.
Nach der Trennung teilen sich die Eltern das Sorgerecht für ihre Tochter.
After the separation, the parents share custody of their daughter.
Im Urlaub ist der Hund in der Obhut unserer Nachbarin.
During our vacation, the dog is in our neighbor's care.