What Are Different Types of Custody
There are several types of child custody that parents may be awarded when they divorce or otherwise need to separate. The two main classifications of custody are legal and physical, but what do these terms mean? Legal custody refers to the right of a parent to make decisions about their child’s upbringing – including major decisions like education, religion, etc., as well as day-to-day decisions such as what doctor the child should see, daily activities, and so on. If you are interested in finding out more about custody, contact Gulotta & Gulotta, a family law attorney in Holbrook, NY.
Some parents may be awarded joint legal custody, which means that both parents have an equal say in making major decisions about the child’s life. Other couples prefer to give one parent full or primary custody, with the other parent having few or no visitation rights.
Legal custody also covers other important issues, such as the child’s ability to apply for a passport or driver’s license and who will be responsible for making health care decisions should the need arise.
Physical custody is a little more straightforward: it refers to where a child lives on a day-to-day basis. Some parents may be awarded joint physical custody, which means that the child lives equally between two homes. Other parents prefer a system of sole physical custody, where one parent has the child living with them most of the time and visitation rights for the other parent.
Joint custody can be a great option for many families, but sometimes it’s not practical or desired by either party. For example, when one parent is awarded sole custody, they may also have to be responsible for the child’s transportation to visit with the other parent. If there are long distances separating them – or if one parent has a very busy schedule – this can be impractical and cause problems down the road.
The law is constantly evolving to respond to new needs and changes in society – but at its core, the main goal of child custody laws is to help protect children’s rights. Even if your situation seems unusual or difficult, you still have the right to fight with a family law attorney in Holbrook, NY, for what you believe is best for your child.
If you are facing divorce or have already separated from your spouse, you can still seek an order for child custody that best meets your needs and those of your child. You may want to consider hiring a family law attorney in Holbrook, NY who is experienced in helping parents with their specific concerns. Our office is conveniently located at 2459 Ocean Avenue, Suite #A in Ronkonkoma. If you’re facing serious legal problems because of allegations involving your children, you should speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away.
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