vårdnadssituationen

Vårdnadssituationen refers to the legal and practical arrangements for a child's upbringing when parents are separated or divorced. It encompasses decisions about who will have legal custody, where the child will live, and how the parents will share responsibility for the child's care and upbringing. In Sweden, the term "vårdnad" specifically denotes the responsibility for a child's care, upbringing, education, and well-being.

There are several common vårdnadssituationer. Sole custody, known as "ensam vårdnad," means one parent is primarily responsible for all decisions regarding the child. Joint custody, or "gemensam vårdnad," is the most common arrangement, where both parents share decision-making responsibilities, even if the child primarily resides with one parent. This often involves shared living arrangements, such as alternating weeks or specific days.

When parents cannot agree on vårdnadssituationen, courts or social services may intervene to help mediate or make decisions in the child's best interest. The focus is always on what is deemed best for the child's welfare and development. Factors considered include the child's relationship with each parent, the child's need for stability, and the parents' ability to cooperate. The ultimate goal is to ensure the child's needs are met and that both parents can maintain a meaningful relationship with their child.