For many divorced couples with children, one of the most important decisions to be made is who will have custody of the child.
In this post, we’ll discuss all the types of child custody to help you make an informed decision.
Knowing what type of custody is best for your particular situation can help ensure that your child’s best interests are served when hiring a custody attorney.
Legal and Physical Custody
The two major types of custody are legal and physical. Legal custody refers to which parent has the right to make decisions regarding their child’s upbringing, such as education, medical care, religious upbringing, etc.
Physical custody refers to where the child lives and who provides day-to-day care. It’s important to note that these two types can be shared or given exclusively to one parent.
Joint Custody
When both parents share legal or physical custody, it is known as joint custody.
Joint physical custody means that the child spends a significant amount of time with both parents, whereas joint legal custody means that both parents must work together on major decisions relating to their child’s life.
This type of arrangement is often seen as ideal because it allows both parents to remain involved in their child’s life and have an equal say in how they are raised.
Sole Custody
In some cases, only one parent will be granted sole legal or physical custody of a child.
This means that only one parent has authority over major decisions relating to their upbringing in cases where sole legal custody is granted, and only one parent provides daily care in cases where sole physical custody is granted.
Sole physical custody does not necessarily mean that the non-custodial parent does not get visitation rights. It simply means that one parent has primary responsibility for the day-to-day care of their child.
Factors That May Affect Custody Decisions
When deciding on a child custody arrangement, courts typically consider a variety of factors, such as the age and health of the child, the parents’ financial status, the lifestyle of each parent, and any history of abuse or neglect.
The court will also examine which parent has been involved in providing care for the child leading up to the divorce or separation.
For example, by taking them to school or doctor appointments and taking into account any special needs that must be addressed in making a ruling on custody.
It’s important to note that these are all just guidelines. Ultimately it is up to the judge handling your case to decide what is best for your particular situation.
At times, courts may even consider outside evidence, such as psychological evaluations or third-party testimonies, in making their decision about child custody arrangements.
In some cases, if one parent does not have enough financial resources for their own custody attorney representation during proceedings, then they may be eligible for court-appointed counsel at no cost.
Conclusion
Child custody arrangements can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances.
Whether you are seeking joint or sole legal or physical custodianship over your children, understanding all your options can help you make a good decision about what type of arrangement would work best for you and your family moving forward.
Ultimately, the goal should always be what is in the best interest of your children, no matter what type of child custody arrangement you come up with!