what is a non custodial parent

A noncustodial parent is a parent who does not have physical custody of their minor child as the result of a court order. When a child lives with only one parent, in a sole custody arrangement, then the parent with whom the child lives is the custodial parent while the other parent is the non-custodial parent. The non-custodial parent may have contact or visitation rights, but they do not have primary physical custody of the child. Non-custodial parents are still financially responsible for their children, and they can visit their children freely or on a schedule agreed upon in the custody arrangement. Non-custodial parents can still have legal custody of their children, which means they are entitled to an opinion regarding important matters in the childs life, such as healthcare and education. However, non-custodial parents without legal custody are not entitled to make decisions for their children.