Peter MenkinThere are essentially 2 types of joint custody when it comes to the care of children in a failed relationship.
1) Joint Legal Custody
This involves both parents making the important decisions in the childs life, even though one of the parents may have sole physical custody.
2) Joint Physical Custody
This involves the child living with each parent in turn according to an agreed schedule.
The schedule will be decided upon by the court if the parents can not agree and the paramount issue and influencing factor is always what is best for the child.
Custody cases can be very troubling and traumatic for all concerned and can run for years. The emotional and financial costs can be very high and that is why agreement should be reached as to the custodial arrangements for the child if at all possible.
If this does not happen then the court will impose its judgment.
There is a strong presumption of shared custody in about 35 states in the U.S. but this does not mean that this type of custody will necessarily follow. The court will look at both parents parenting skills and look for substance abuse issues and anything else which may render the parent an unsuitable parent for sole or joint physical custody.
For this reason forearmed is forewarned and any parent who is going through a failed relationship has a responsibility to do a little research on the whole area to allow them put their best foot forward and obtain joint custody of their child..at least.
Armed with this knowledge, particularly for the joint custody laws favoured by your state, will reduce some of the understandable anxiety in a very troubling time.