Child Custody
Determining child custody
How each parent will share in the custody of their children is a very important decision. Child custody impacts how decisions affecting your children will be made. Child custody should be decided with the needs of your children as your primary focus.
The following is a brief description of the different types of child custody.
* Legal Custody - Refers to the decision making authority of the each parent.
Legal custody may be held Jointly or Solely.
* Joint Custody - Both parents share the responsibility and authority to make decisions for the child.
* Sole Custody - One parent has the responsibility and authority to make decisions for the child.
* Physical Custody - Refers to the parent with the primary residence for the child, while the other parent has designated co-parenting rights and responsibilities.
* Shared Custody - A type of physical custody were each parent has co-parenting and residential responsibility for the children. Approximately but not necessarily 50% of the time.
* Split Custody - A type of physical custody where each parent is the primary residential parent for a different child. This is not the norm, but sometimes there are good reasons to split children up at certain developmental periods, or when one child is experiencing a difficult time with issues.
After custody is decided child support can be determined and a workable co-parenting plan can be negotiated.
In divorce mediation your professional mediator keeps discussions focused and productive. By reducing conflict you increase the chance of better outcomes.
Contact S. M. Edwards & Associates, LLC to find out how mediation can save you time and money.
