What Is Allocation of Parental Responsibilities?
An Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (APR) case establishes custody (parenting time and decision-making) as well as child support for minor children. Unlike a dissolution that establishes parents’ rights for those parents that are married, parents that are not married can use an APR case to establish custody.
Also, a non-parent (a grandparent, aunt/uncle, close friend) can use an APR to affirm parenting time and decision-making for a minor child in his/her custody and control and can affirm those rights against other parties. An APR case can be very important for non-parents caring for minor children as it allows those non-parents to make medical decisions on behalf of the children, enroll them in school, and protect themselves against the claims for parental rights from others.
Bases under which a non-biological parent may seek custody
In most cases, when a non-biological parent has minor children in his/her physical custody for at least 6 months, that person can start an APR case. A non-biological parent can also begin an APR case so long as the children are not in the physical care of the biological parent(s).
Remember a biological parent can also use an APR if he/she is not married to the other parent.