Child Custody Agreement Terms

Child custody is a legal term used to describe the process of determining who will have the legal responsibility for a child, including his or her care, control, and upbringing. There are several types of child custody, but the most common are joint custody, sole custody, and split custody. If you are going through a divorce or separation and have children, it is essential to have a child custody agreement in place. Here are some child custody agreement terms to consider.

Visitation Schedule

The visitation schedule is one of the most important aspects of a child custody agreement. It determines when the non-custodial parent can spend time with the child. The visitation schedule can be anything from weekends, holidays, summers, or other agreed-upon times.

Physical Custody

Physical custody refers to which parent the child will live with most of the time. In most cases, the parents will share physical custody, which means the child will spend time with both parents. However, in some situations, one parent may have primary physical custody.

Legal Custody

Legal custody refers to the parent(s) who will be responsible for making important decisions about the child`s upbringing, such as healthcare, education, and religion. In most cases, both parents will share legal custody, but sometimes one parent may have sole legal custody.

Child Support

Child support is a payment made by one parent to the other to help cover the cost of raising the child. The amount of child support is based on several factors, such as each parent`s income and the child`s needs.

Parenting Plan

A parenting plan is a written agreement that outlines how the parents will handle the day-to-day responsibilities of raising their child. This includes things like a schedule for school drop-offs and pick-ups, who will transport the child to extracurricular activities, and who will be responsible for medical appointments.

Dispute Resolution

Having a dispute resolution process in place is essential in case there is a disagreement between the parents over the custody agreement. This can include mediation, arbitration, or even going to court, if necessary.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to child custody agreements, it is important to remember that the needs of the child must always come first. It is crucial to work with an experienced family law attorney to ensure that your child custody agreement covers all of the necessary terms and provisions. With the right agreement in place, both parents can have peace of mind knowing that their child`s best interests are protected.