Co-parenting through a child custody agreement can be challenging. At best, as a couple, you will work together to ensure the best interests of your children. However, there are often other relationship and logistical struggles that make this a difficult and sometimes impossible goal. In the eyes of the court, the focus is always on ensuring a stable environment for the children.
Here are four different approaches to child custody agreements:
- Shared custody. Also known as ‘joint custody,’ shared child custody means both parents share the responsibilities, or legal custody, as well as time with the children, also referred to as physical custody. Shared custody agreements can vary widely in schedules, logistics, and details, all of which are worked through during the divorce proceedings.
- Full custody. To its furthest extent, full custody, or ‘sole custody,’ grants both full legal and physical custody to one parent. Full custody can also refer to just legal custody, where both parents still share time with the children, but only one parent can make important decisions for them, including medical care, school decisions, etc.
- Primary custody. Primary custody grants most of the legal and physical custody to one parent. The children live with that parent the majority of the time. The other parent is given partial custody with visitation rights.
- Split custody. In some cases, parents can have split custody of multiple children. This means one parent has primary custody over one child, while the other parent has primary custody of the other child. This is most often utilized when both parents are fit to care for their children, but familial conflict, particularly with the children, makes this a more suitable option in their best interest.
Even within these approaches to child custody, arrangements can be as unique as the family. Our goal as legal advisors and advocates is to create a custody agreement that is right for you and your children.