Going through a divorce is already difficult for some people, but when children are involved, the process can become further complicated. It's usually up to the courts or parents to make those tough decisions concerning child custody arrangements.
Divorce outcomes of a parent with kids always end up with legal arrangements for child custody, which are done in the kids’ best interest. There are several ways to make child custody arrangements that are decided by either the child’s parents or a court.
Couples who cannot discuss, negotiate, and make child custody arrangements amicably outside the courtroom often depend on the court to judge the case and decide for them by making a custody decree in writing. The court has the legal obligation to order a child custody decision for parents.
During divorce arrangements, parents can discuss and decide on child custody. They may decide to use the mediation approach, which is best for negotiations in making the best child custody arrangements without one partner feeling cheated.
What are the Child Custody Arrangements?
Child custody arrangements contain agreements and schedules that parents are expected to perform during the child’s upbringing despite being separated or divorced. Schedules can be done weekly, monthly, or during vacation and holidays. Other child custody agreements may include child support, special events schedules, child health care, relocation plans, religion, etc.
Child custody arrangements are decided after thorough considerations of the child’s best custody. This applies especially regarding the child’s well-being and how they can help in their upbringing.
Many states differentiate between physical custody (where the child lives) and legal custody (the right to make decisions about the child’s upbringing). One parent may have primary physical and legal custody, or primary physical and joint legal custody, or joint physical and legal custody, depending on the best interests of the child.
The Three Most Common Child Custody Arrangements
Although there are several existing types of child custody arrangements, here are the three most common types.
1. Primary Physical Custody
In this case, the child lives with the parent granted custody by the court. The parent with such custody is the one that provides primary care for the child until some emergencies or circumstances warrant for the other parent (noncustodial parent) to show up.
However, the court may grant custody to the child’s grandparent if the child’s parents are dead or unable to perform custody rights. The child’s grandparents may also be given the right to visit the child after considering it suitable for the child.
There may be possibilities of making changes to these child custody arrangements if the divorced parents agree on the arrangements or are later deemed fit to perform child custody rights. Parents should discuss and negotiate their custody arrangements during a divorce to avoid physical child custody arrangements.