You may have recently thought about getting a divorce. Perhaps you’ve been having difficulties with your spouse or you’re looking for different opportunities in life. However, you have children to think about first.
As a parent seeking a divorce, you’ll have to make some considerations when it comes to your children. You and your spouse may have to discuss who gets custody of your children as the divorce progresses. Knowing more about child custody before a divorce could help you get the future with your children that you want. Here’s what you should know:
What is legal and physical custody?
Parents can be given legal and/or physical custody in a divorce. Legal and physical custody determines each parent’s responsibilities and obligations they have for their children.
A parent with legal custody has the right to manage their child’s upbringing. This may allow a parent to, for example, decide whether their child goes to public or private school. Or, if a child should go to church or attend extracurriculars.
Physical custody determines how a parent maintains their child’s daily routine. This often involves providing food, shelter and clothing for children. This could also mean, for instance, taking a child to school or attending church services.
What is joint and sole custody?
Legal and physical custody is often arranged according to the parenting arrangement. An arrangement may be made so that parents have joint or sole custody of their child.
Joint custody allows for each parent to work together after a divorce to continue raising their child. This often means rotating schedules and constant communications.
Alternatively, a single parent may be given sole custody. A parent with sole custody may have full legal and physical custody rights. Sometimes, the other parent is given visitation time with their child.
If you have questions about child custody, you may need to reach out for legal help to understand your options.
