Negotiating child custody can be an emotional and challenging experience. Sometimes, parents reach a resolution without much of a fight. Other times, they disagree completely, which can lead to a custody battle. Before you proceed with negotiations, it’s important to understand your options.

5 Possible Child Custody Outcomes

1. Physical Custody

Physical custody grants parents the right to have their children live in their home. In most cases, one parent receives sole guardianship. However, their ex may still get visitation and legal rights to the kid.

2. Legal Custody

A parent awarded legal custody possesses the authority to make important decisions regarding the child’s health, education, and upbringing. They can also make decisions about the kid’s religious practices and medical care without consulting their former spouse.

3. Sole Custody

Sometimes, a judge awards sole custody to one parent. This can happen if the other party was found to be unfit to care for the child for any number of reasons, including alcohol or drug abuse or financial issues. The ruling might favor one person if they are deemed to be in a better position to provide quality care. 

4. Joint Legal Custody

Judges might award one parent sole physical custody and joint legal custody to both. In this scenario, the child will primarily live with the sole guardian, but they each must come to an agreement on matters involving education, health care, and upbringing. 

5. Joint Physical Custody 

In states like Hawaii, joint physical custody may be possible if children can feasibly split time equally between the two households without disrupting their schooling or overall quality of life. Typically, this arrangement works best when the parents still live within close proximity of one another.

Reduce stress and negotiate a favorable child custody agreement by enlisting a qualified lawyer. For over 34 years, the legal team at the Law Offices of Brian J De Lima have been helping Big Island residents secure the custody outcomes they desire. For more information about the Hilo, HI, law firm, visit the website. To schedule a complimentary consultation, call today at (808) 969-7707.