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Parental authority refers to the rights and duties that parents have in relation to their unemancipated children.<\/p>\n
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button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_contact_field][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”Canal” field_title=”How did you hear about us?” field_type=”select” select_options=”%91{%22value%22:%22Google%22,%22checked%22:0,%22dragID%22:-1},{%22value%22:%22Social Media%22,%22checked%22:0,%22dragID%22:0},{%22value%22:%22Press%22,%22checked%22:0,%22dragID%22:1},{%22value%22:%22Friend \/ Family member%22,%22checked%22:0,%22dragID%22:2},{%22value%22:%22Others%22,%22checked%22:0,%22dragID%22:3}%93″ fullwidth_field=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_contact_field][et_pb_contact_field field_id=”Privacidad” field_title=” ” field_type=”checkbox” checkbox_options=”%91{%22value%22:%22I have read and agree to the %22,%22checked%22:0,%22dragID%22:-1,%22link_url%22:%22\/en\/privacy-policy\/%22,%22link_text%22:%22Privacy Policy%22}%93″ fullwidth_field=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” form_field_font_size=”12px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_contact_field][\/et_pb_contact_form][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(87,209,209,0.1)” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”%224_4%22″ make_equal=”%22on%22″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”%22default%22″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”%22{}%22″][et_pb_column type=”%224_4%22″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”%22default%22″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”%22{}%22″ custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”%22default%22″ custom_css_main_element=”font-size: 12px;” locked=”%22off%22″ global_colors_info=”%22{}%22″]Zabalgo Abogados<\/a><\/span><\/span>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||22px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”183a4314-7f30-4731-97fb-eae1c24275fc” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”df19af8c-6cf6-40d1-84d5-6193502f4a81″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Parental Authority includes the rights and duties that parents have in relation to important decisions affecting their children\u2019s lives<\/strong>. These decisions may involve matters such as education, healthcare, emotional development, religious upbringing, and the overall wellbeing of the children.<\/p>\n For example, parental authority includes decisions regarding which school the children will attend, whether they will receive religious education, or whether psychological support or medical treatment may be necessary<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In most cases, both parents exercise parental authority jointly<\/strong>. However, a court may restrict or remove parental authority in particularly serious situations, especially where the children\u2019s physical or emotional wellbeing \u2014 or even their financial interests \u2014 may be at risk.<\/p>\n Disagreements can sometimes arise between parents regarding important decisions affecting their children.<\/p>\n When parents are unable to reach an agreement on matters related to parental authority, either parent may apply to the court so that a judge can assess the situation and decide which option best protects the best interests of the child<\/strong>, taking into account the specific circumstances of the family.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/palomazabalgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/HIJOS.jpg” alt=”Parental authority and decisions concerning children” title_text=”HIJOS” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”458718e3-05ad-4aa4-8049-b950fe86e4a5″ custom_margin=”-30px||31px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”0a561b31-904e-417b-ad05-8103a1e85941″ custom_padding=”24px|20px|24px|20px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n These terms are often confused, but the difference is quite simple.<\/p>\n Parental authority<\/strong> refers to the right and duty to make important decisions about your children\u2019s future, such as matters related to education, healthcare, emotional wellbeing, or values.<\/p>\n Custody<\/strong>, on the other hand, refers to where the children live and who is responsible for their day-to-day care and routine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In most cases, both parents continue to share parental authority jointly<\/strong>, even when custody is granted primarily to one parent.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#032832″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”135deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#000000 0%|#032832 50%|#007380 100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”183a4314-7f30-4731-97fb-eae1c24275fc” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”cedfac72-3741-4d99-b5fd-56fbe9f86638″ custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Exercising parental authority after a separation can sometimes become complex. At Zabalgo Family Lawyers<\/strong>, we help you avoid unnecessary conflict and guide you in managing shared decisions with clarity, legal certainty, and peace of mind<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For families spread across more than one country, parental authority raises a question that comes before any other: which court can decide, and which law applies.<\/p>\n Within the European Union, jurisdiction over parental responsibility is governed by Regulation (EU) 2019\/1111, Brussels II ter<\/strong>, applicable since 1 August 2022. The general rule is that jurisdiction lies with the courts of the State where the child is habitually resident<\/strong> at the time the application is made. Habitual residence is a factual concept: it depends on where the child’s life actually takes place \u2014 school, medical care, family environment \u2014 and not on nationality or on where the parents are registered.<\/p>\n Outside the European Union, the 1996 Hague Convention<\/strong> on parental responsibility performs a comparable function among the States that are party to it.<\/p>\n This is the single most frequent source of serious conflict in international families, and the rule is straightforward: where parental authority is shared, one parent cannot unilaterally change the child’s country of residence<\/strong>. It requires the consent of the other parent or, failing that, judicial authorisation.<\/p>\n Taking a child abroad without that consent may amount to international child abduction under the 1980 Hague Convention<\/strong>, which provides for the prompt return of the child to the State of habitual residence. The proceedings are urgent and their outcome rarely favours the parent who acted unilaterally.<\/p>\n Our page on international child abduction<\/a> sets out how these proceedings work.<\/p>\nWhat Is Parental Authority?<\/h2>\n
What Happens If the Parents Do Not Agree?<\/h3>\n
Difference Between Parental Authority and Custody<\/h3>\n
Provide a Safe and Stable Environment for Your Children<\/h2>\n
Parental authority in international families<\/h2>\n
Moving abroad with a child<\/h2>\n
When parents cannot agree on a decision<\/h2>\n