{"id":351660,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/child-custody\/types-of-child-custody.html"},"modified":"2023-05-15T14:23:31","modified_gmt":"2023-05-15T19:23:31","slug":"types-of-child-custody","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/types-of-child-custody.html","title":{"rendered":"Types of Child Custody"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Types of Child Custody<\/h1>\n
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\n By Jade Yeban, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Bridget Molitor, JD<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Child custody agreements are unique and often tailored to each case. Parents and the court can choose from several different types of child custody arrangements, based on the best interest of the child. These include, physical, legal, sole and jont custody. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

You can find information about the different types of custody and parenting time below.
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Types of Child Custody: At a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

Parents or a family court judge will decide how parents share (or do not share) legal and physical custody. The best interest of the child should guide that decision.<\/p>\r\n

Child custody orders can also be revisited in court. This may happen if material circumstances have changed since entry of the last order.<\/p>\r\n

Sole vs. Joint Custody<\/h3>\r\n

"Sole custody" refers to an arrangement where one parent has both legal and physical custody of the child. The non-custodial parent generally has visitation rights, also called parenting time. The parent with sole physical custody will likely be entitled to child support if requested by the custodial parent.<\/p>\r\n

Typically, sole custody arises because a judge determines that the non-custodial parent is less fit to parent. In other cases, a parent may choose to be less involved and give the other parent sole custody of a child.<\/p>\r\n

Most child custody arrangements are "joint custody," or "shared custody." Both parents have joint legal custody, even if one parent has more time with physical custody. For example, a child may live primarily with one parent. But this doesn’t necessarily mean the parents do not have joint legal custody.<\/p>\r\n

Parents with shared custody may also have equal joint physical custody. This means they spend equal time\u2014or very close to equal time\u2014with their child. Most courts find that joint child custody arrangements are in the best interests of the child. The court will look at a variety of factors to determine what is in the best interest of the child’s well-being.<\/p>\r\n

Legal Custody<\/h3>\r\n

Legal custody is the court-granted right to make major decisions on behalf of the child. This includes:<\/p>\r\n