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Legal Custody: This term refers to a legal relationship that is established by court order, in which one individual, referred to as the Custodian, if given legal authority over, and the corresponding legal responsibility for, the physical care of another individual, who is referred to as the Ward. The reason for the creation of a custodial relationship is usually the disability of the Ward, either by tender age, extended age, or the inability of the Ward to adequately care for his or her self. In some situations, depending on the unique provisions of state law, the Custodian may also be given responsibility for the management of the financial and other physical affairs and assets of the Ward, although it is also common for the court to appoint a separate individual, called a Custodian, to handle these matters independent of the services of the Custodian.

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The definition of this term has been taken from the "Adoption Glossary," which contains definitions of a wide variety of words that relate to adoption and infertility. The entire Adoption Glossary is located at http://glossary.adoption.com.

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