Joint custody is one of the parenting plan options for people going through a Virginia divorce. There are 3 types of joint custody in Virginia, and it’s a good idea to understand the differences between them.
In joint legal custody, the child lives with one parent, but both parents have the power to make the childrearing decisions. In shared physical custody, the child divides his or her time between parental homes.
Parents can also create their own hybrid arrangement that combines joint legal and shared physical custody. In this way, there’s quite a bit of leeway when addressing joint custody in Virginia.
Before pursuing joint custody in Virginia, you should take into consideration all the financial, legal, and emotional pros and cons.
It’s not always easy for a divorcing couple to handle the cooperation involved in sharing joint custody in Virginia, but it’s necessary if they want their co-parenting to go smoothly.
If the divorcing couple can work out an agreeable parenting plan, they can put it in writing in their Virginia separation agreement and avoid the drama of a courtroom custody battle.
Then, when the custody plan is put into action, the former couple can work through their differences with each other either on their own or through family counseling. This way, their children can feel more secure and adjust to the divorce in a more healthy way.
Contacting a Virginia Divorce Attorney
At Hofheimer Family Law Firm, we understand that the health and happiness of your children is your #1 concern. We will work with you to address any fears and anxieties you may have about your children’s future. Our women’s-only divorce attorneys will guide you every step of the way to ensure that you achieve the best possible child custody and child support arrangements for you and your children.
To learn more about your Virginia divorce, request a FREE copy of our guide, What Every Virginia Woman Should Know About Divorce, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar – 757-425-5200.