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If you have been awarded joint custody—or are pursuing it in a child custody case, it is crucial to understand your rights and responsibilities under such a plan. Missouri's family laws define the terms of joint custody arrangements. Below, the Columbia child custody lawyers at Mingus Law Office discuss the subject in more detail.

A Brief Guide to Joint Custody

Joint Legal Custody

child custodyParents with joint legal custody make all important and legal-related decisions on behalf of the minor child. The parents can decide where the child goes to school, where they receive medical care, and what religion the child observes. A joint legal custody order typically includes information about how disagreements between the parents should be resolved, such as through mediation or court order.

Joint Physical Custody

With a joint physical custody arrangement, the child physically lives with both parents. They may spend weekdays with one parent, weekends with another, and alternate major holidays between both—but this is just one example of how a joint physical custody plan might be set up. However, joint physical custody does not mean equal physical custody. Missouri law does not say that the time the child spends in each parent's home must be more or less equal; one parent could be given more time with the child.

The Parenting Plan

The law requires you and your ex to file a parenting plan that outlines how you will address the issues related to raising your child as co-parents. While the details can take some time to work out, the parenting plan lets both you and your ex have a say in custody, visitations, child support, pickups and drop-offs, and all other details of the arrangement. If you are awarded joint custody, the parenting plan provides the courts with a helpful blueprint from which to design the final custody order.

If you are involved in a child custody matter, trust Mingus Law Office to find solutions that work for you and your family. Since 1993, Attorney Mingus and his team have been serving the central Missouri region. Call (573) 443-5202 or visit him online to arrange a free consultation.

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