Abstrak
This study aims to examine and analyze the legal force of Religious Court decisions that have permanent legal force in child custody cases, as well as how the execution of child custody decisions is carried out when the object of execution is a child (a living being) who has free will and rights. All legal sources obtained in the study were analyzed using qualitative analysis. The technique for collecting legal sources was carried out using a literature study method by collecting and analyzing primary, secondary, and tertiary legal sources. The research method used a legislative approach, a case approach, and a conceptual approach. The type of research used was normative legal research. The results of the study show that child custody decisions have certainty, which includes binding force, evidentiary force, and executory force, so they must be upheld and implemented. If they are rejected, there will be further efforts, namely enforcement, which is a coercive measure by the Religious Court when the losing party is unwilling to voluntarily comply with the decision. The execution of child custody decisions has the same legal basis as the execution of property law, which is regulated in the HIR and RBg. However, there are differences in the object of execution and obstacles in its implementation in the field. Therefore, in the implementation of custody decisions, even if carried out by force, it must still be based on the best interests of the child, such as by involving mediation before forceful measures are taken, psychological assistance to maintain the emotional and psychological well-being of the child, and the role of officials and institutions related to custody rights to ensure the implementation of the decision. Because legal protection for custodial rights holders is crucial to ensuring children's rights while also considering the rights of those who do not have custody of the child.