Hi, my name is Kirsten Krueger and two years ago, I was in a car accident. I was stopped at a stop sign when the driver behind me slammed into my car. Due to my injuries, I had to spend a few days in the hospital and I was unable to work for two months. My medical care was expensive and without being able to work, I couldn't pay my bills. The car accident was stressful enough and then I had to worry about how I would pay my bills. After speaking with a car accident lawyer, it wasn't long before I was compensated for my medical bills and lost wages from work. I'm writing this blog to help others who have been a car accident and haven't received any compensation. As you read my posts, you'll learn how an attorney can help you if you're in a vehicle accident.
Not only is the issue of child custody a contentious and emotional one, but also the terms used to describe the two main types of custody can be confusing. The terms "joint custody" and "shared custody" sound a bit like the same thing, but they are quite different. If you are a divorcing parent, you need to understand the differences between these two types of custody so that you and your spouse can make a well-informed decision. Read on to learn more about shared and joint custody.
Is Shared Custody For You?
If you want your minor child to spend an equal amount of time with each parent, this type of custody could be for you. You must live near to each other to make it work, however, since you each will be expected to take over the parenting for parts of days or weeks. Sometimes referred to as 50/50 parenting, the court leaves the minute details up to the parents. The custody schedule does not need to be set in stone and approved by the court; it is flexible and based on the child's ever-changing life.
The downside of this type of arrangement is the need for expert organizational skills on the part of both parents, since plans can change at the last minute. Parents normally will need to keep a set of clothing and other belongings in each home, and they must both be able to work well with each other to plan and organize a busy child's schedule.
Is Joint Custody Right for You?
If you and your spouse agree that one parent should hold primary physical custody of your child, this type of custody might be right for you. For parents who must let a family court judge decide, joint custody is a frequent choice. Care should be taken when this custody plan is created, since it will be court-approved and binding. While one parent will be taking care of the child for most of time, this type of custody should not be misunderstood as being one-sided; both parents are expected to work together to make decisions on important topics like discipline, education, religion, and more.
Visitation is the link that provides time for the non-custodial parent, and visitation schedules are often set up for years in advance, with vacation, holidays, birthdays and other occasions rotating in a sometimes complicated manner. Parents can live far apart if they are willing to pay for and arrange travel for the child for visitation.
Even though all matters pertaining to minor children remain open as far as family courts are concerned, care should be used to keep disruption to the child's life as minimal as possible. Talk to your divorce lawyer for more information.
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