Joint Custody

Typically, when two parents divorce, one parent takes custody of the children. In this case, the other parent is called the non-custodial parent and typically pays child support to the custodial parent to help cover living expenses for the child. There are some circumstances, though, when the parents agree to share custody of the child. The court orders that custody be awarded to both parents.

There are two kinds of custody: physical custody and legal custody. When people think of custody, they tend to think of physical custody. Physical custody is actually housing and caring for the child on a daily basis, and it is most often given to one parent or the other. Legal custody involves making decisions for the welfare of the child, having access to medical and school records, etc.

Joint custody can take the form of either joint physical custody or joint legal custody. Joint legal custody is more common than joint physical custody; there is not necessarily a correlation between the two. Parents can have joint legal custody but have one parent as the physical custodian. Typically, joint physical custody is only plausible if the parents live very close together and have equal time and opportunity to spend with the children.

Contact a West Palm Beach Divorce Lawyer

If you are dealing with custody issues, experienced legal advice can be very valuable. Contact the West Palm Beach divorce lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates at 561-353-2800 today for a consultation.