Often the most important family law issues facing parents is determinations of child custody. These custody determinations can be extremely stressful and emotional. A judge will determine custody based on the best interest of the child. There are two types of custody legal and physical custody.

Legal custody determines which parent will make decisions concerning the child’s or children’s health, safety, education, and welfare. One parent can make these decisions alone, which is known as sole legal custody, or both parents may retain the right to make these decisions, known as joint legal custody. Joint legal custody means both parents should cooperate on decision-making, but that either parent has the power to make decisions alone. Sole legal custody means only one parent can make decisions and obtain information from the child’s or children’s school and doctor, for example. Physical custody determines where the child or children will reside. Sole physical custody means the child or children live with one parent and may visit the other parent. Joint physical custody means the child or children reside with both parents. In the case of joint physical custody, if one parent will have the child more than half of the time, then that parent can be labeled the primary custodial parent for tax and other purposes.

We can help advocate for you and your time with your child as well as work toward achieving a better resolution.