| Are you in the middle of a relationship breakup with | | | | behalf of the children. If parents have this type of it |
| the father of your kids and have questions about the | | | | then both parents must share in the process of |
| various child custody options available? Several types | | | | making decisions. But, there can be various provisions |
| are granted by courts in the US, but all states may | | | | such as one parent has complete control over |
| not grant some of the less common ones. | | | | educational issues while the other parent is in charge |
| The first main category involves who has physical | | | | of medical care. Joint legal custody is the popular |
| custody of the children or the home or homes in | | | | option with the courts. |
| which the children will reside. Parents with joint | | | | With sole legal custody, one parent has full authority |
| physical custody each have the children in their home | | | | to make all decisions on behalf of the children. But, |
| approximately fifty percent of the time. This could | | | | this parent will probably still be required to share |
| possibly be one week with one parent and the next | | | | information about the children such as medical |
| week with the other parent or three and one half | | | | treatment and school records. |
| days of each week with each parent. A parent who | | | | When the court renders its decision, the type of |
| has sole physical custody has the children living with | | | | custody awarded does not necessarily remain in place |
| him or her while the other parent usually gets | | | | until the children are grown. Some parenting |
| visitation with the children. | | | | agreements state that there should be a review at |
| Split custody means that one parent has sole physical | | | | pivotal points in the child's life such as entering |
| custody of one or more of the children while the | | | | elementary school or high school. If there is child |
| other parent has at least one of the children. Judges | | | | abuse or neglect, a change could be granted. And, |
| don't grant split custody often, as they commonly | | | | either parent may decide to ask the court for a |
| like siblings to live together in the same home. | | | | review although state law might prohibit a parent |
| Another type that isn't common is Bird's Nest | | | | from filing for a custody change for a specific time |
| custody where kids live in the same house all of the | | | | period after the last review. |
| time, and the parents take turns living with the kids, | | | | You need to think carefully about which child option |
| usually one week on and one week off. The kids get | | | | would be the best for your children, and then what |
| the stability of living in the same home, but the | | | | would be best for you, personally. You'll need to |
| parents may have difficulty with this arrangement if | | | | discuss your specific situation with your lawyer. |
| one or both choose to remarry. And, both parents | | | | Unless your ex is mentally ill, violent, or a substance |
| have to maintain their own residence plus the | | | | abuser or you have some other mitigating |
| residence with the kids. Bird's Nest custody | | | | circumstance, you are not likely to receive sole legal |
| arrangements require a high level of communication | | | | custody. But, you may be able to address some of |
| and cooperativeness from both parents in order to | | | | your co-parenting concerns through a parenting |
| be successful. | | | | agreement. Keep your children's best interests in |
| The second major category is legal custody which | | | | mind, and seek the best situation to meet their |
| determines who has authority to make decisions on | | | | needs. |