Child Custody Arrangements

For whatever situation, there are child custody arrangements that suit the needs and compromises of parents and the best interests of the child. The first two types of child custody arrangements would differ in the aspects of parent custody. This would include physical and legal child custody. The next two types would focus on shared or sole responsibility in parenting – sole and legal child custody arrangements.

Physical and Legal Child Custody Arrangements

Generally speaking, there are 2 types of custody: (1) physical custody and (2) legal custody arrangements. Physical custody would mean the actual physical control and possession of a child. It grants the parent the right for a child to live and reside with him or her. Meanwhile legal custody would mean the right to make legal decisions for a child’s welfare. This would include his medical, religious and medical needs, decided on behalf of the child.

There are 4 kinds of physical child custody arrangements. These are (a) Primary, (b) Partial, (c) Visitation and (d) Shared. Primary physical custody would mean the party, parent, custodian or guardian with whom the child mostly, primarily, or usually stays with. Partial physical custody means the right of the party or parent other than the primary guardian to take the child away for a certain period of time like vacations, weekends, night time, among others. Visitation refers to the right of a parent or party to take a supervised visit with the child at the primary home or where the child usually resides. Shared or joint custody happens when the parents or guardians of the child take alternate or take turns in the physical custody of the child to ensure frequent and regular contact with parents or guardians.

Parents with legal custody have the right to make any sound decisions concerning the child’s needs. One parent can make all decisions on religion, health care, education and other needs with proper consultation with the other parent. In many states, courts grant joint legal custody for both parents to make these decisions for and about their child.

Legal child custody arrangements are often settled and shared between guardians or parents since both parents have to consult with each other before deciding on those major choices on behalf of the child’s interest. It is a rare occurrence that only one parent is given sole legal custody of his or her child.

Sole and Joint Child Custody Arrangements

Only one parent can have sole physical custody or sole legal custody of the child. This sometimes happen if the parent has been deemed unfit by the rule of court like in child abuse or child neglect cases and drug and alcohol dependency.

However, many state courts are progressing away from the idea of sole physical or sole legal child custody arrangements since both parents have to accomplish their respective mother and father roles for the fulfillment of the child’s needs. In the event that courts grant sole physical custody, both parents would very often share in joint legal custody while the noncustodial parent or guardian enjoys a liberal and regular visitation schedule. With this special situation, one parent would be responsible, for most part, in the care and upbringing of the child as a “primary physical care taker”. On the other hand, the “other” or noncustodial parent would have generous visitation rights.

In the long run, child custody arrangements are supposed to fulfill the needs of the child and contribute to the best interests of the child. Some setups have special conditions that apply to special situations and/or to qualified parents or individuals. Come to think about it, each type or kind of child custody is unique for every situation. It is up to you to familiarize yourself with these arrangements so you and your child could get the most of their benefits.