Family and children
Legal help with child custody
Child custody refers to the legal responsibility for a child. If you need to understand joint or sole custody, want to change an existing custody arrangement, or are having difficulty reaching an agreement with the other parent, our lawyers will help you move forward under Swedish law.
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What does child custody mean?
A child’s legal custodian is responsible for the child’s personal affairs and ensuring that the child’s needs are met. Custody is separate from where the child lives and the child’s right to spend time with each parent. A child may live primarily with one parent even when the parents have joint custody.
The custodian has both the right and the obligation to make important decisions for the child. These decisions may concern:
- preschool and school
- medical and dental care
- passports and other identification documents
- the child’s registered address
- other important matters affecting the child’s daily life and future
Joint and sole custody
Joint custody means that both parents are legal custodians and are generally required to make important decisions about the child together.
Joint custody does not automatically mean that the child must divide their time equally between both parents. The child’s living arrangements and parenting time are considered separately based on the child’s best interests.
Sole custody means that one parent has legal responsibility for the child and makes the important decisions. Sole custody may be appropriate when joint decision-making does not work or when it is necessary to protect the child’s safety and well-being.
Under Swedish law, the child’s best interests are the deciding factor in custody matters. Particular attention is given to any risk of violence, abuse, abduction, or other harm. The child must also be given an opportunity to express their views based on their age and maturity.
Changing custody
The process for changing custody depends on whether the parents agree. Parents who agree may enter into a written custody agreement. The agreement must be approved by the municipal social welfare committee to become legally binding.
If the parents cannot agree, the matter may need to be decided by a district court. As a general rule, parents must first attend an information meeting arranged by the municipality before starting court proceedings.
Our lawyers will assess your situation, explain your options, and help you prepare the necessary information and documents.
How we can help you
Custody issues affect both the child and the family’s daily life. We help you understand the rules, assess your options, and take the next step with the child’s best interests in mind.
Advice on child custody
We review your situation and explain what joint or sole custody means for you and your child.
Custody agreements
We help you prepare a clear agreement and explain what is required for it to become legally binding.
Communication with the other parent
We help you communicate and negotiate with the other parent when you need to find a workable solution.
Representation in custody proceedings
If the matter must be decided in court, we represent you and guide you through the entire process.
Get help with custody
Schedule a 15-minute meeting with a lawyer to review and discuss your situation.
If you need further assistance, we’ll explain your options, how we can assist you, and what it would cost. If you hire us for your case, the cost of the first 15 minutes will be deducted from your final bill.
Talk to a lawyer
15-minute legal consultation
A brief meeting for quick guidance. Get answers to your questions, understand your rights and options, and learn how to move forward.
Need more help? You can also schedule a longer meeting with a lawyer for assistance with a specific task or a more complex situation.
Concerned about the cost? In some cases, part of the cost may be covered by legal expenses insurance or legal aid. We also offer payment plans through Klarna. Learn more about costs and financing →
Get help from our lawyers
Our lawyers help with joint and sole custody, agreements between parents, and custody matters that need to be decided in court.
Wazima M. Aga
Lawyer
Wazima is deeply committed to protecting individual rights and practices immigration law, administrative law, social welfare law, family law, and contract law. She speaks Swedish, English, Persian, and Dari.
Matilda Selander Persson
Lawyer
Matilda primarily works with employment law, business law, contract law, family law, and migration law. She speaks Swedish and English.
Aja Wadii
Lawyer
Aja specializes in migration law, family law, and criminal law. In addition to Swedish and English, Aja also speaks Arabic.
Nadja Hatem
Lawyer
Nadja works within family law – mainly custody disputes and international child abduction cases. She has also worked in criminal law. She speaks Swedish, English, and Arabic.
Anuta Sjunghamn
Lawyer
Anuta works in migration law – primarily handling asylum cases. She also assists with family law disputes and criminal cases. Anuta speaks Swedish, English and Persian.
Mirella Nunes Siqueira
Consulting lawyer
Mirella specializes in business law, financial family law, employment law, and consumer law. She speaks Swedish, English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Aleksandar Milic
Consulting lawyer
Aleksandar Milic specializes in business law and family law and also serves as legal counsel in LVU cases. He speaks Swedish, Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about custody
Joint custody means that both parents have legal responsibility for the child and must make important decisions together.
No. Custody concerns legal responsibility for the child. Living arrangements concern where and how the child lives. A child may live primarily with one parent even when the parents have joint custody.
Sole custody may be appropriate when joint decision-making does not work or when the circumstances mean that it is in the child’s best interests for one parent to have custody.
If the parents agree, they may enter into a written agreement that is approved by the municipal social welfare committee. If they cannot agree, the district court may decide the matter.
Let a lawyer contact you
Tell us briefly about your situation, and we’ll get back to you within one business day to schedule a video consultation.