What is the primary goal of legal custody for a minor?

The primary goal of legal custody for a minor is to establish a guardian who will promote the minor's best interest. Legal custody involves a legal relationship where the guardian is granted specific rights and responsibilities regarding the minor's care and welfare. This means that the guardian is tasked with making decisions that affect the child's life, including education, healthcare, and overall upbringing, ensuring that the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs are met.

While other options like providing a safe environment or ensuring academic success are important aspects of what a guardian should aim for, they do not encompass the broader legal framework established by legal custody. Legal custody is fundamentally about the allocation of parental or guardian rights and responsibilities, which is centered around the best interest of the minor, making that choice the most accurate representation of the primary goal of legal custody.