Child custody decisions are crucial when parents divorce or separate, and typically fall into two main categories: sole custody as well as joint custody. Parents can effectively navigate custody decisions with the assistance of an understanding of the distinctions between these arrangements. Looking for a skilled divorce lawyer in houston tx? Our team provides experienced legal representation and support.
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Shared Custody:
Joint custody is the arrangement in which both parents share physical and/or legal custody of their children. Joint custody can be divided into two categories:
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Joint Legal Custody:
Legal joint custody grants equal rights to both parents to make crucial decisions about their child’s upbringing. This includes important decisions about the child’s education, healthcare, religious upbringing, and other important issues that affect the child’s well-being. Both parents retain equal decision-making authority, regardless of which parent has physical custody (where the child resides).
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Actual Joint Guardianship:
A custody arrangement in which the child spends significant time living with both parents is referred to as “physical joint custody.” This could take the form of alternating weeks, months, or other schedules that the parents and the court agree on. The objective is to ensure that the child regularly communicates with both parents.
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Primary Custody:
One parent has sole legal and physical custody of the child, with the other typically having visitation rights or scheduled parenting time. Sole custody is also known as joint custody. The two types of sole custody are:
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Legal sole custody:
Without consulting the other parent, sole legal custody grants one parent complete authority to make all significant decisions regarding the child’s upbringing. Education, healthcare, and religious upbringing are all examples of this. Unless restricted by a court order, the non-custodial parent may still have access to the child’s information and records.
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Physical custody alone:
The term “sole physical custody” refers to the situation in which the child resides solely with one parent, with the other parent typically having visitation rights or scheduled parenting time. The custodial parent is in charge of the child’s day-to-day care, which includes keeping the home safe, meeting the child’s educational needs, and making sure the child is happy and healthy in general.
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Contemplations and Court Judgments:
When deciding on child custody arrangements, courts prioritize the child’s best interests over other considerations. Factors, for example, parental capacity to give a steady climate, youngster inclinations (contingent upon age and development), verifiable providing care jobs, and geological closeness are surveyed to decide the most reasonable guardianship game plan.
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