Are you confused by the different types of custody? You are not alone. Most people find the terms confusing.
Many people think joint custody means the children spend equal time with both parents. Actually, it means that the parents make decisions together. It has nothing to do with the amount of time the children spend with each parent. Day-to-day decisions are made by the parent in whose care the children are at the time. Major decisions such as those affecting the children’s health, recreational activities, religious training and education are made together. For example, the parents do not discuss daily homework assignments but they should discuss whether to change the children’s school.
Effective co-parents discuss problems with the children’s education, milestones, upcoming assignments and events. The degree of communication is up to you.
Sole custody means that one parent makes the major decisions. Of course, consultation with the other parent is usually wise as it keeps both parents feeling involved but if the parents cannot speak to each other respectfully, it may be limited. The other parent has a right to information about the children from all educators, health care providers and others involved in the children’s lives.
Parallel custody is another type of decision-making. In parallel custody, the decision-making is divided between the parents. For example, one parent may make health care and educational decisions whereas the other parent may make recreational activity and religious decisions. The purpose of parallel custody is to minimize the need for the parents to communicate but to keep both highly involved in the parenting. In reality, I’m not sure if it works. Sounds awkward or artificial somehow.
Shared custody is not about the decision-making process but rather is based on the children’s schedule: the children are with each parent for about equal time. This can have implications on the amount of child support paid. To learn more about the impact on child support read this article.
Are you confused yet? One more term to go.
In split custody arrangements, each parent has at least one child in their primary care and they usually have access to the other children who reside primarily with the other parent. Often the arrangement is that the children are together on weekends alternating between their parents’ homes but they live separately during the week with one or more with each parent.
These legal terms are important but what is more important is that you and your ex find a way to parent peacefully, keeping the best interests of the children paramount.
