Child custody is a deeply emotional and legally intricate aspect of family law. When parents part ways, decisions about child custody can be challenging, affecting not only the parents but also the well-being of the children involved. In this blog post, we will delve into the various aspects of child custody, including types of custody, factors influencing custody decisions, and how parents can navigate this process with the best interests of their children at heart.

Types of Child Custody:

1. Legal Custody: This type of custody refers to the right and responsibility to make decisions about the child's upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. Legal custody can be joint (both parents share decision-making) or sole (one parent has the authority to make decisions).
2. Physical Custody: Physical custody determines where the child will live on a day-to-day basis. Like legal custody, it can be joint or sole. In joint physical custody, the child spends substantial...

A growing body of research confirms that kids are usually better off with both parents in their lives as joint custody becomes the preferred solution to child rearing after divorce. Familiarizing yourself with the benefits of shared custody and learning these strategies can help you make the best arrangement for your family.

Basic Principles to Keep in Mind

1. Understand the difference between physical and legal custody. Physical custody refers to which parent the child lives with. Legal custody refers to a parent's right and responsibility to make major decisions that affect their child on issues like education and health care.

2. Appreciate the benefits of joint custody. Shared custody is currently awarded in approximately 20% of divorces and that figure is likely to grow. Kids who spend substantial time with both parents appear to have fewer physical and emotional health issues. Their self-esteem is higher and they do better in school.

3. Put your children's...