Joint Custody??

Could someone also explain to me exactly what joint custody actually means?

[MySonsMom]

Joint custody simply means that you have a right to your child. Information regarding the child, major decisions regarding the child etc.

What is the importance is physical custody..that is where the child resides. Joint simply means that if you are non custodial with joint custody, you are entitled to having say in your childs life. Now whether you get this depends solely on the custodial parent..which can always make it hard on the non if they want to.

Legal Custody - the parent with legal custody can make all decisions regarding the health, welfare and education of the child.
Physical Custody - determines which parent has the actual, physical right to be with the child.
Sole Legal Custody - when one parent is awarded sole legal custody, that parent makes all decisions regarding the health, education and welfare of the child (and the other parent has no input on these decisions)
Sole Physical Custody - when one parent is given sole physical custody, the child remains with him/her and the other parent is excluded from having physical custody of the child (typically when the other parent has abused or neglected the child)
Joint Legal Custody - both parents participate in reaching decisions regarding the health, education and welfare of the child.
Joint Physical Custody - both parents have the ability to be with the child, typically joint physical custody is coupled with a parenting plan to determine who will be with the child at what particular time.
Shared Custody - both parents equally share the legal and physical custody of the child. Typically found only where both parents are able to resolve their personal differences and keep them in check for the sake of raising the child in a caring, nurturing environment.

Good luck to you!

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**MySonsMom**
~There is no love like the unconditional love of a Mother~

[This message has been edited by MySonsMom (edited September 01, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by MySonsMom (edited September 01, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by MySonsMom (edited September 01, 2000).]

Want to try and edit that again ?

[MySonsMom]

LOL usdeeper, I was wondering if anyone would notice that. Hee Hee Hee!

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**MySonsMom**
~There is no love like the unconditional love of a Mother~