Split Custody Definition: A child custody decision which results in the splitting up of the children; that legal custody of one or more of the children is with the father, and that of one or more of the other children are with the mother. Related Terms: Parallel Parenting, Shared Custody Also known as divided custody although the latter concept is mostly used to describe split custody over greater periods of time such as alternate years with each parent. In Canada, the Child Support Guidelines (at ยง8), have adopted this term to refer specifically, and to thereafter impose a child support formula unique to the arrangement, as follows: "Where each spouse has custody of one or more children, the amount of a child support order is the difference between the amount that each spouse would otherwise pay if a child support order were sought against each of the spouses." Categories & Topics: Family Law Dictionary Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!