Child Custody By: AmeriTrust Law Group

What is Child Custody? Child custody arrangements can be some of the most fiercely contested aspects of a divorce and/or family law case. Because there are several different types of child custody, there may be various types of custody arrangements which may suit the child’s best interest.

Types of Child Custody There are typically four types of child custody including: 1.Legal Custody 2.Physical Custody 3.Sole Custody 4.Joint Custody

Legal Child Custody Legal child custody deals with the rights and obligations to make decisions about a child’s upbringing. Some of the most common decisions with respect to legal custody commonly involve choice of schooling, healthcare and religious upbringing. In many cases, legal custody is shared by parents through joint legal custody. In some cases, the courts may grant sole legal custody to a parent when joint legal custody is not otherwise feasible or within the best interest of the child.

Physical Child Custody Physical child custody deals with the rights for a child to live with a parent.

Types of Physical Custody Physical custody may be joint physical custody or sole physical custody. With joint physical custody, the child may live with each parent for equal amounts of time. Alternatively, with sole physical custody, the child primarily lives with one parent called the “custodial” parent and the other parent may have the right to visitation.

Sole Child Custody Sole child custody means one parent may have sole legal custody or sole physical custody of a child.

Sole Child Custody Courts often choose to award sole physical custody if the other parent is considered unfit. However, courts have recently begun to move away from awarding sole custody to help encourage both parents to play a role in their children’s lives.

Joint Child Custody Joint child custody typically applies to parents who do not live together, but share the decision-making responsibilities for their children. Joint custody may be joint legal custody, joint physical custody or joint legal and physical custody.

Child Custody Help If you need legal help with child custody, contact a family law attorney with the AmeriTrust Law Group today. We fight for your family

DISCLAIMER The information contained in this video is offered for informational purposes only and should in no way be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. Anyone reading content from this video, clients or otherwise, should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in the video without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from an attorney licensed in the recipient’s state.