If you want to file for divorce, but you are concerned about the impact it will have on your children, learning more about how the courts handle child custody may help ease your mind. There are two main kinds of custody, as well as two different kinds of arrangements. Family law judges and divorcing parents can use these variations to devise a custom agreement that prioritizes the best interests of any children involved. Below, the legal team at Davidson Hopkins & Alexander in Jefferson, GA, discusses the different kinds of custody, so you can start thinking about the arrangement you hope to secure with the help of your family lawyer.

Kinds of Custody

During child custody proceedings, most parents aim to secure both physical and legal custody of their children. Legal custody gives parents the right to make decisions on a minor child’s behalf regarding his or her education, health care, religion, and general upbringing. It is possible for a parent to obtain legal custody without getting physical custody, but parents cannot get physical custody without getting legal custody. When a parent has physical custody, he or she agrees to act as the caregiver of the child, who will live with him or her some or all of the time.

Possible Arrangements

There are several ways for a judge to divide up the two main kinds of custody. If a parent is awarded sole custody, for example, that means he or she has both legal and physical custody of the child, and the other parent has neither. This arrangement typically only applies in cases where one of the parents has been deemed unfit. In general, family law judges find it in the best interests of the children to award some kind of joint custody arrangement, which means both parents are awarded legal or physical custody.

If you are facing a child custody battle and you want to secure the most favorable arrangement possible, contact Davidson Hopkins & Alexander. An attorney from their firm will help you prove your involvement as a parent, so you do not lose an unreasonable amount of time with your children. You can learn more about the firm’s experience practicing family law by visiting their website. To schedule an initial consultation with a compassionate family lawyer in Jefferson, GA, call (706) 367-5264 today.