Every Ohio family is different, and for this reason, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to child custody concerns. If you are facing the end of your marriage, you know that you will face difficult decisions regarding child custody, but there are various options available that could benefit your family. When you know all of the options available, you may be able to work on a beneficial solution outside of court.
There are various types of child custody. Children benefit when they are able to maintain a strong relationship with both parents after a divorce, and you would be wise to consider how the type of custody arrangement you choose will impact your child for years to come. The ultimate goal of any child custody arrangement is to protect the best interests of the children.
The types of custody arrangements
Every family is unique, and for this reason, your custody arrangement should meet the individual and unique needs. Some of the types of custody plans available to you include the following:
- Sole custody: In this type of custody arrangement, one parent will retain sole legal and physical custody of the child. The other parent may sometimes have visitation rights.
- Joint custody: In a joint custody arrangement, both parents will have an equitable amount of access and parenting time. One or both parents will have the right to make important decisions on behalf of the child.
When making decisions regarding custody, it is wise to understand the terms physical and legal custody. Physical custody refers to the amount of time that a parent will actually have with his or her child. Legal custody refers to the right of a parent to make decisions on behalf of the child.
Sole custody may not be as common as it once was as it is clear that children benefit when they are in regular contact with both parents. In a joint custody arrangement, it is possible that only one parent will have legal custody while still sharing physical custody.
The best future for your children
You know that your children will have to deal with a certain impact from your divorce. With the right custody plan in place, you may be able to minimize the negative effects they experience. Making decisions about child custody is not easy, but with thoughtful consideration of the future and experienced legal guidance, you can make a decision that allows your children to have a strong future after divorce.
