{"id":351965,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/paternity\/shared-parenting-vs-sole-custody.html"},"modified":"2025-02-10T15:28:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T20:28:40","slug":"shared-parenting-vs-sole-custody","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/paternity\/shared-parenting-vs-sole-custody.html","title":{"rendered":"Shared Parenting vs. Sole Custody"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Shared Parenting vs. Sole Custody<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Shared parenting, or joint custody, involves both parents having equal responsibility and decision-making power over the child’s upbringing, often splitting time equally. Sole custody, on the other hand, grants one parent full responsibility for the child’s care and major decisions, typically when joint custody is not in the child’s best interest. Courts prioritize the child’s welfare and aim for arrangements that support the child’s health and happiness.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Few things are as contentious in a divorce as the child custody agreement. In most states, child custody and visitation are separate from the rest of the divorce process. The parties and their attorneys may agree on everything else, but child custody arrangements may need the intervention of judges and mediators.<\/p>\r\n

In general, courts always consider the best interests of the child before the desires of the parents. In most states, judges and parents work together to decide what arrangement best suits the child’s needs. Family law courts have a range of alternatives to fit the parents’ demands to the child’s best interests.<\/p>\r\n

Types of Child Custody Arrangements<\/h2>\r\n

Custody of a child involves more than the child’s living arrangements. Most parental arguments revolve around who the child will live with and who has the final say over schooling and discipline.<\/p>\r\n

Family courts use different terms for types of custody arrangements<\/a>. In general, they are defined as follows:<\/p>\r\n