We’ve come to a day and age where divorce is on the rise. It’s not a planned event where we only get married just to get divorced. So many people are more stubborn and set in their ways about the way they think the world around them should work and not work. And that makes it more difficult for people to be able to live in harmony and build strong relationships together. It becomes immensely more difficult to make the already difficult decision to get divorced when there are kids involved. But sometimes the best thing that a married couple can do for their kids is to get divorced. As awful as that sounds. We do want what is best for our children. When that time comes to start making the difficult decisions about custody, there are 5 child custody types that all parents should know and study before making that choice. There is legal custody, physical custody, sole custody, joint custody, and visitation. When going through this process, it would be wise to reach out to a professional to help you make the best decision for you and your children. Child custody lawyers Toledo Ohio can help you get started.
Some of the custody types might seem cut and dry and obvious, but knowing the details are very important.
Legal Custody
Legal custody is when one of the parents or both parents still have the right to make important life decisions for the child or children in question. Legal custody can be joint or sole, meaning that those life decisions would be up to both parents are just the one with sole custody. Those decisions include regular day-to-day decisions such as where the child will attend school, whether or not (including which) religion they will attend and which non-emergency doctors the child/children will be seen by.
Physical Custody
Physical custody is what establishes where the child or children will live. Also involving the day-to-day care for the child or children. Physical custody is often referred to as “residential custody.” Physical custody can also be joint or sole. In most cases, the child or children will go primarily with the parent that has typically been the caretaker of the children.
Sole Custody
Sole custody is when only one parent has been given legal custody and physical custody of the child or children. Meaning that all of the decisions that are made through legal and physical custody are all made by the one parent that has been given sole custody. Sometimes in this case, the other parent has been given visitation rights including overnight visits.
Joint Custody
Joint custody is when the child or children live with one parent part of the time and the other parent the other part of the time. It’s sometimes 50/50 but can also be a little different depending on the situation. But overall, it’s pretty evenly split.
Visitation
Visitation is when one parent may be awarded visitation that is closely monitored by the court. This might include supervised visits or unsupervised, depending on what is granted.
