Definition Joint Custody - See Custody, Legal and Custody, Physical.
Questions & Answers
Would we be able to specify a joint custody arrangement in our agreement?
Yes, you may put that in the agreement, if you feel that it is in the best interest of the children. Many courts favor joint legal custody. If you plan to have joint physical custody, you may have a little more difficulty proving to a judge that this is right for the child(ren). Joint physical custody is an arrangement where the child(ren) actually lives with both parents for a specified period of time during each year. For example; The child(ren) live with the father each odd month and with the mother each even month. This may seem like a well thought out and negotiated arrangement, but the judge will question whether or not it is a healthy living arrangement. What is great, and content for the parents, may not be best for the child(ren).

Helpful Tips & Facts
  1. Joint Custody- A 50%-50% Arrangement
    The "5-2" pure joint physical custody may work like this: Overnights Mon./Tues with Parent A; Wed./Thurs. with Parent B; Alternating weekends including Fri./Sat./Sun. Each parent will have 5 day periods in alternating weeks which give a sense of stability/ home with each parent, without going too long without a either parent. It keeps the back-and-forth to a minimum. Children adjust to knowing for certain which day of the week belongs to which parent (i.e. a Tuesday field trip means Parent A, Friday spelling tests must be studied with Parent B, etc.) Pick up and drop off at school means less direct parent interaction in high-conflict cases. Each parent has time for employment and social obligations. Neither parent is the "visitor." Parents must live in reasonable proximity to one another to make this work.
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