One of the biggest issues divorcing parents have to face is child custody. Child custody determines where a child lives and which parent can decide what is best for their child. There are two key terms to understand when it comes to child custody:
- Physical custody: This type of custody decides where a child lives. Parents with physical custody are often responsible for managing their child’s daily routine and providing for their basic needs, such as clothing, food, shelter and education.
- Legal custody: This type of custody decides which parent can make decisions on behalf of their child. Parents with legal custody can make decisions concerning their child’s education, medical needs and religious upbringing, for example.
There are several types of custody arrangements. Custody arrangements can be decided by parents. However, if parents cannot agree to a custody arrangement, a court may create a custody order that reflects its perception of what is in a child’s best interests.
Joint custody
Parents can share custody of their child. This can mean that both parents are responsible for deciding the best interests of their child and that the child could reside with both parents. Co-parents may need to communicate often to meet their child’s needs and arrange a physical custody schedule. Joint custody may not mean that parents split legal and physical rights 50/50. Depending on what is best for a child, one parent may have more parenting time and legal custody rights than the other.
Sole custody
One parent may not be seen fit to raise their child or does not want to be involved in their child’s life. As a result, the other parent may be given sole custody, which means they could have full physical and legal rights to their child. This parent would be responsible for providing for their child’s needs and making decisions in their best interests. The other parent may be given the right to visit their child and could be responsible for paying child support.
There are many ways to arrange a child custody arrangement to fit both parents and children. Parents may need to discuss their custody options after seeking legal help, as the stakes of such concerns are high enough that rushing into an arrangement is generally not wise.