What Is Joint Custody of a Child?

We have made mention that several child custody agreements exist to suit the needs of parents and their children. Among these agreements are sole and joint custody of a child. The goal of this part of the paper would be to answer: What is joint custody of a child? How does it work?

Many courts in the United States are veering away from the idea of sole custody with the idea that shared or joint custody would be ideal for the growth and development, needs, concerns and interests of the child over the needs and concerns of individual parents. What is joint custody of a child?

By definition, joint custody would mean that either/both the legal or physical aspect of the child is awarded to both parents. It may be awarded as joint physical custody or joint legal custody or both. Joint custody is also called “shared custody” which is accurate since parents share in the company of their child by taking turns or alternating roles by means of schedules and other mechanisms.

Joint custody works when both parents do not live together anymore because they are separated, divorced or no longer cohabiting.

What is Joint Custody of a Child? Mechanisms.

When joint custody arrangements have been agreed upon, parents usually work out or compromise on a schedule according to their own work schedules, commitments, housing arrangements, and the child’s needs. If parents cannot agree on a schedule or arrangement, they will be compelled by rule of court to seek mediation or the court will impose some kind of arrangement.

A common pattern usually done by courts or by parents is to split weeks between each of the parent’s residence. There are other joint physical custody arrangements like: (a) alternating monthly or six-month periods or alternating years; and (b) spending weekdays with one parent while spending certain vacations, holidays or weekends with the other. There are also joint custody arrangements where the child remains at the family home while the parents take turns moving in and out of that home. This schedule is called a “bird’s nest custody”. 

What is joint custody of a child? Weighing the Pros and Cons.

Joint custody assures children constant involvement and contact with both parents while alleviating the parenting burdens of both parents. The major disadvantages of joint custody are: (a) shuffling schedules and residences that may confuse children and parents; (b) noncooperation and animosity between two parents will cause serious negative effects on the children and (c) maintaining both parental homes may be costly or may pose as a long-term problem.

When in a joint custody agreement and arrangement, keep organized and detailed financial statements of your child care expenses. Keep records of purchases like grocery receipts, receipts from school and extra-curricular activities, medical care, clothing and other needs. There may come a time when your ex may claim that he or she ahs spent more on child care and other services. Keeping score of your expenses may help clarify or prove how much you’ve actually spent on your children. Other than this, courts typically favor those parents who keep track of records and receipts as it shows due diligence in child care.

So, what is joint custody of a child? It is when separated or divorced parents or parents not cohabiting together consensually share the physical caregiver role and decision-making role in child care by scheduling and child custody agreements.