Facts About Child Custody

Divorce can be one of the most unpleasant experiences a person may have in life. Along with endless procedures of mundane paperwork there is also the draining emotional distress involved with every divorce. One of the most difficult and emotionally draining questions, however, is “Who gets custody of the children?"

Do you have questions regarding child custody?  If so, contact a child custody lawyer in your area today!

Sometimes parents, having only the best interest of their children in mind, can come to a mutual agreement. Setting aside their personal differences for the sake of raising their child in a loving and nurturing environment, both parents agree to joint custody. In this case, both parents share equal legal, as well as physical, custody, and resolve personal issues.

Other times, the decision about child custody does not come easy and the bundle of rights and bundle of rights and responsibilities has to be determined. Child custody is divided into numerous concepts that attempt to present options that every party involved can agree on and live with.

Even though custody and visitation rights are never considered to be final, there are several outcomes that dictate custody arrangements, at least until further decisions are reached, including:

• Legal Custody
• Sole Custody
• Sole Physical Custody
• Joint Legal Custody

Following is a brief description of these types of Child Custody:

Legal Custody 
The parent with legal custody can make all decisions regarding the health, welfare, and education of the child. Physical Custody - determines which parent has the actual, physical right to be with the child.

Sole Legal Custody
When one parent is awarded sole legal custody, that parent makes all decisions regarding the health, education, and welfare of the child (and the other parent has no input on these decisions)

Sole Physical Custody 
When one parent is given sole physical custody, the child remains with him/her and the other parent is excluded from having physical custody of the child (typically when the other parent has abused or neglected the child)

Joint Legal Custody 
Both parents participate in reaching decisions regarding the health, education and welfare of the child. In a Joint Physical Custody - both parents have the ability to be with the child, typically joint physical custody is coupled with a parenting plan to determine who will be with the child at what particular time.

Do you have questions regarding child custody?  If so, contact a child custody lawyer in your area today!

In the event that you find yourself in a highly impulsive, contested or even hostile custody issue it is best to seek out a lawyer that can represent you. If your spouse or former spouse is represented by an attorney, it is advisable that you also consult a lawyer in order to effectively fight for what you love most – your child. For a free evaluation of your child custody case, please contact one of our child custody attorneys near you.

Updated:  MH