Divorce can create a lot of changes for families. Parents who are going through a divorce often have to learn about child custody.
Child custody determines where a child lives and what rights parents have. Here are a few basics about child custody that parents should know:
1. Legal and physical custody
Legal custody refers to a parent’s right to decide how their child is raised. Parents with legal custody can make medical, educational and daily decisions for their child. For example, a parent may decide whether or not their child goes to private school or undergoes a serious medical procedure.
Physical custody refers to where a child lives. Parents with physical custody are responsible for caring for a child’s basic needs and maintaining their daily routine. For example, a parent with physical custody may be responsible for taking their child to school and ensuring they are fed throughout the day.
2. Sole and joint custody
Sole custody means that one parent has legal and/or physical custody. A parent with sole legal custody makes decisions for their child without the other parent’s input. A parent with sole physical custody is responsible for caring for their child’s daily needs every day.
Joint custody means that parents share legal and/or physical custody. Parents with joint legal custody make decisions together for their child. Parents with joint physical custody rotate days when they are responsible for their child’s daily care.
3. Child custody schedule
When parents have a joint physical custody arrangement, they can create a custody schedule. A custody schedule determines how often each parent has custody of their child.
Parents can reach out for professional legal guidance to learn more about child custody.