When you're getting a divorce, one of the most significant decisions you'll have to make regards child custody. Before you get into this challenging discussion with your ex, you must understand the different types of agreements that are possible. Review the facts below.

Legal & Physical Custody

Physical custody refers to who a child lives with. A parent who has been granted physical custody has the right to have the child stay in their home.

This contrasts legal custody, which determines who can make decisions about a child's welfare. If a parent has legal custody, they have say over factors like their education, health care, and religious upbringing. This allows parents to impact how their child is raised.

Sole & Joint Custody

Physical and legal custody can be joint or sole. In the case of joint custody, the parents share the responsibility of the child's welfare. In the case of sole custody, only one parent has this responsibility. Usually, legal custody is shared and physical custody is split equally, but that isn't always the case.

If you and your ex have separated amicably and want to share legal custody of your children, this means you both have a say in deciding what school the children attend and what religious holidays they celebrate. However, if your ex can't split physical custody evenly, you might agree to joint custody but divide it so the kids spend more time with you.

Custody issues are complicated. Let the legal team of Fulcher Law Firm in Albemarle, NC, help you figure out what option best suits your needs. These attorneys have over 18 years of experience and are dedicated to getting their clients the justice they deserve. They even make themselves available on weekends and evenings. Visit their website to learn more about how they can help, or call (704) 984-6060 to schedule an appointment.