Child custody rights certainly can define where the child lives and which parent they live with at that time. If one parent has sole physical custody, then this means the child primarily lives with them. The other parent may have visitation rights. If both parents share custody, then this means the child divides their time between both homes. This time may or may not be split equally, depending on the situation.
But this is not all that child custody rights address. There’s another component, which is legal custody. Parents have to make important decisions for their child, and legal custody rights define who is able to do so.
What type of decisions do parents make?
Legal custody rights basically cover all major decisions that parents have to make while their children are still minors. Examples include:
- Where the child goes to school
- What doctor the child sees
- What types of medical care or healthcare they receive
- Whether they open bank accounts or other financial accounts
- What religion they will be part of as they grow up
When co-parents share legal custody rights, the two of them must work together to make decisions. This can sometimes lead to conflicts. For instance, one parent may think that a certain type of healthcare is dangerous, while the other parent believes it’s a necessity. The two of them must find a solution—sometimes with the help of the court. If the court has to rule, it will typically focus on what outcome would be in the child’s best interests.
As a parent, it’s very important to understand all of your legal custody rights and the steps to take if disputes arise.
