Adopting from foster care can be more affordable than adopting privately, either domestically or internationally. Find out ways to make the process easier and allow you to take custody sooner.

Temporary child custody, also known as a temporary parenting plan, is a court order that grants custody of a child or children to a parent or relative before a final parenting plan is worked out and approved by the court. Like other custody types, it gives the custodial parent or relative the legal authority to make decisions involving the children's health care, education, and welfare.

Joint child custody, also known as shared custody, is one child custody option that exists for divorcing or separating parents. When a court awards joint child custody, it gives both parents equal rights and responsibilities for raising their child or children.

The term child abuse refers to any mistreatment of a child that results in harm or injury. There are four types of child abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, and the most common form of child abuse, neglect.

Unpaid child support payments are called back child support and arrearages, and a person is in arrears if they owe back child support. Courts offer parents several options to enforce child support orders and to collect any back child support they are owed.

There are four major types of child abuse: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. It's common to see more than one type in a case of child abuse, and any type of child abuse can affect any child at any age.