Well, joint custody and shared custody sound like the same thing, but they’re very different. Here, our child custody lawyer in Baltimore discuss the differences between these two terms:
What is joint custody?
In joint custody, both partners share fairly equal physical rights. Both parents spend the same amount of time in their own homes with the child. Typically, a rotating schedule is worked out and agreed upon between both partners. If agreeing upon a schedule becomes difficult, the judge will determine how much time each parent spends with their child.
Both the parents equally share responsibilities and are highly involved in joint custody. Due to this reason, the parents must be capable of working together to agree on decisions regarding the child’s upbringing. This includes making joint decisions on the child’s religion, education, and healthcare. They should put the child’s best interests first with cooperation. Joint custody is appropriate when:
- The child is school-aged or older
- The parents can work together and are amicable
- Both the parents live and work in the same area
What is shared custody?
Both parents share legal, physical rights to their child in shared custody. Both parents receive almost the same amount of time caring for the child in their own homes. Generally, this works best when both parents agree to a particular schedule. If this isn’t attainable, the judge will decide which partner has primary custody. He may also plan a visitation schedule.
In this type of custody arrangement, legal parental rights may or may not be shared. If they’re not shared, important decisions regarding the child’s religion, education, and healthcare may be left to only one parent. When they’re shared, both parents must work in conjunction for the best interest of the child. To learn more about the specific details of custody, speak with professional child custody lawyers in Baltimore County. Shared custody is appropriate when:
- One of the parents is injured, sick, or has other circumstances that prevent them from caring for their child properly
- One of the parents is financially unstable
- One of the parents travels often
The Lincoln Law Group’s child custody lawyer in Baltimore County presents your best possible outcome
At the Lincoln Law Group, our custody attorney in Baltimore County takes a personalized approach to every family law, ensuring the best outcome for our clients in Silver Spring and Maryland.
Give us a call now for more information on our child custody lawyer n Baltimore!