Things to Know About Joint Custody

Custody means the right to make decisions for and concerning a child. In this case, the word custody refers to both the legal custody of a child and the physical custody of a child as well. In other words, joint legal custody means that two people share legal authority over a child. Sole legal custody means that one person has full responsibility to make decisions for the child. In this case, you should write down that you want to be the custodian of your child.

Court orders awarding custody of children to both parents jointly. Both parents share major decisions about the child's life such as education, health care, and religion. The child spends equal or close amounts of time with both parents, but the parents do not live together. Divorced parents may share joint legal custody of their kids. This means both parents have equal say over decisions regarding their children, such as education, religion, health care, etc. Parents who have joint legal custody must agree on how to divide up the time spent with their children.

You can have joint legal custody or sole physical custody. Both parents must agree on what happens to the child. In some states, you can also get joint legal custody if there is a history of domestic violence.

There are several ways parents can share legal custodial rights. A collaborative arrangement is the most common. In this case, both parents make joint decisions regarding how to raise their children. The second option is more traditional, with each parent making decisions independently. The third option is for the courts to determine custody based on a set of guidelines. Both parents make big decisions together. During times when neither parent has physical custody, the other parent makes decisions for the child.

When parents work together to make decisions for their children, the children benefit. Communication between parents helps prevent isolation and psychological issues that might stem from a feeling of losing a parent. Children who see their parent(s) interact positively, as joint custody requires, learn to negotiate and work through disagreements. Children are more likely to have healthy self-esteem when their parents are able to collaborate and communicate. Sharing legal custody alleviates the burden of parenting. Having another parent's input in difficult decision-making can be welcomed. Joint Legal Custody isn't for everyone. Some parents have trouble working together when there is conflict. You might need to give up jobs to stay close to your children.

Joint legal custody works well when parents share fundamental values. It's easy for both parents to make decisions about their child's school, extra-curricular activities, and religion. Parental cooperation is necessary for a successful co-parenting relationship. When parents disagree, conflict is more likely to occur.

Children of divorced parents are better off if they live away from mom and dad. They are happier if they see both parents regularly. Children who live in joint-custodial homes are less likely to be diagnosed as having mental health issues than children who live in single-parent households. Joint-custodial children also tend to do better academically and socially than children whose parents divorce or separate. This may be due to the fact that children in joint-parenting situations have more frequent contact with each other. Kids who had more time with both parents showed better adjustment than those who didn't.

Parents who share joint legal custody should continue to communicate with each other in order to reach joint decision-making regarding their children. Ideally, children benefit from seeing their parents interacting with one another in a genuine manner, demonstrating how to compromise and work through differences in a healthy manner. As parents learn to co-parent collaboratively, a certain level of effectiveness can be achieved when it comes to rules and consequences, bedtime, and many other child-rearing choices.

Parenting is a dynamic process. Every family goes through this, and when it does, the input of your partner may not only be positive, but welcome. This is particularly true for major decisions about education and medical care.

Collaboration is hard work. It takes time and energy to make sure everyone agrees on something. Parents need to communicate well with each other, and they need to respect each other's opinions. This may mean that some people have to compromise, but this doesn't always happen. When it comes to parenting, you shouldn't force your partner to do anything if he/she doesn't want to. You might think you know what's best for your children, but they're going to learn more by listening to both of you than by hearing only one side.

Joint legal custody is most ideal when neither parent is holding any grudges against each other. Both parents are willing to make important decisions regarding their children. They communicate well and stay in close contact with each other. This type of custody works well when both parents are available to care for the children.

Joint physical custody works well when parents agree that it is in the best interest of the child. Parents must cooperate reasonably well and can decide things together. Parents must live fairly close to each other and a joint arrangement is feasible. Both parents should be very involved in raising the child. No history of child abuse, kidnapping, domestic violence, or child molestation should exist. You can give more time to one parent with midweek visits and extended weekends, longer holidays, and school break visits while the other parent gets more time with the child through phone calls, emails, texts, attending the child's events and activities, etc. Children should be raised by two loving parents who share equal time with them.

Consult a child custody attorney in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, to help you with your case. We are committed to continuing to service our clients' legal needs. We are able to meet clients and hold consultations with potential clients via telephone or video conferencing. If you need to reach us, please do not be hesitant; we are happy to talk with you about your situation and your needs, just contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com.