Divorce can be a very difficult time for parents and children. Parents often struggle to explain to their children what will happen after the divorce. Parents may consider learning more about child custody and discussing it with each other before talking to their children.
Understanding the basics of child custody can help parents prepare for the future. There are a few terms to understand when learning about child custody. The first two terms are legal and physical custody. Here is what you should know:
What are legal and physical custody?
Legal custody means that a parent can decide how their child is raised. When parents have joint legal custody, they can work together to decide where their child goes to school, for example. Co-parents may have to talk about their child’s medical care, interaction with their community or religious upbringing, for example.
Physical custody refers to where a child lives. Co-parents who share physical custody often have custody schedules. A custody schedule determines where a child lives each day of the week and when parents are responsible for caring for their child.
Sometimes one parent has custody of their child. This is referred to as sole custody. A parent with sole legal custody can decide how their child is raised without input from the other parent. A parent with sole physical custody is responsible for their child’s daily care. The other parent may only have visitation days.
Want to learn more about child custody? You can reach out for professional legal guidance to learn more.