Types of Child Custody Explained in Simple Terms
Every parent should know the types of child custody prior to agreeing to a specific arrangement. It is always a smart decision to check the available types of child custody even before the proposition of a particular arrangement. And this is because this thing can help you to find out all the details that every arrangement implies. In most cases, these arrangements include where the children are going to attend school and live. Additionally, child custody usually includes a specific custody schedule that both parents should respect. Whenever child custody issues appear between ex-spouses and they are unable to solve them, they should approach the services of the family court. Usually, the family court solves any child custody issues with the help of specific laws. However, it is important to know that the child custody laws vary from one state to another.
Know the Types of Child Custody
Although there are various child custody laws, which regulate the associated custody issues in every single state, child custody is divided into a few specific types, such as:
1. Legal Custody. In most cases, this type of child custody involves both parents by giving them the responsibility and right to decide on child education, medical care, and other aspects. This type of custody allows ex-spouses to share child custody. This thing indirectly means that parents must take all the decisions together.
2. Physical Custody. This type of custody stabilizes the parent who will physically raise the child. But, although the law gives parents the right to raise their children, they are going to take the decisions together with ex-spouses. Physical custody actually refers to where the children will live. Additionally, it is essential to know that the parents can get joint or sole physical custody.
3. Joint Custody. The joint custody is also known as shared custody. This type of custody gives parents the chance to raise their children together based on a custody schedule. The schedule can be imposed by court or arranged by parents. In most cases, the children are living with a parent during the school year and with the other parent during holidays and vacations. Another common arrangement allows a parent to have the children during the week days and the other parent can take the kids for the weekend.
4. Sole Custody. The sole custody actually means that only one parent has the responsibility and right to raise the child. In most cases, the court takes the decision to award this type of custody especially when one parent proves to be unfit for raising the children. But even in these cases, the family court might consider a visitation schedule. However, the final decision mainly depends on your specific situation.
In all cases, child custody involves the decision of a family court, which can award the custody in one of the aforementioned forms. The custody applies only if the child is under 18 years of age. The family courts consider the best interest of the child prior to awarding parents a specific type of custody.
Determining the Custody
In most cases, prior to determining the custody, both parents work together in order to solve this issue. Parents should consider what is best for their children, including their wishes. Therefore, if you are about to take such a decision, the best thing that you can do is to ask your children what they really want. You should also consider different important matters, such as school and medical care.
Usually, child custody arrangements can be complicated especially if we talk about new marriages. And this is because children are quite reticent about having a new mom or dad. For this reason, you should always try to let children accommodate with the new life style prior to announcing a new marriage.
Another important thing that you should bear in mind is the fact that most people tend to be selfish. This thing indirectly means that your ex-spouse might want to win the child custody, depriving you from your legal rights. If this thing happens, make sure that you hire a good family lawyer, who can help you to regain your rights of raising your child. In conclusion, you should know that managing child custody requires communication and patience. Moreover, respecting the child custody schedule can help you to manage this issue successfully.’