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The Different Types of Child Custody

Child custody is a broad term used to describe the responsibilities of each parent after a divorce or separation.  While most people recognize that the word “custody” is used to define who gets the children, many don’t know that there are varying types of custody.  Here is a review of the most common forms of child custody.

Legal Custody
This term refers to the amount of input that each parent has with important decisions regarding the child’s education, religious upbringing, and medical care.  Legal custody can be granted to both parents.  In this situation, the parent’s must collaborate together when making major decisions.  In other cases, legal custody is granted to only one parent, leaving the other side limited in the raising of the child.

Physical Custody
This is perhaps the most well known form of custody.  It involves deciding where the child will live and with what parent.  Typically, one parent is granted primary physical custody and the other is awarded visitation rights.  This situation insures that child will have a consistent living arrangement that will not interfere with their education or social development.  However, there are instances where joint custody is awarded, and in these cases the child splits time between both parental residences.

Temporary Custody
Temporary custody is used only in extreme cases.  This can occur when both parents are suffering from substance abuse or financial problems.  It can also happen when there are legal allegations pending against a parent.  The goal is to provide an immediate safe house for the child until the issues with one or more parents are figured out.

Bird’s Nest Custody
The rarest form of custody is called bird’s nest custody.  In this arrangement, the child actually resides in the home of a neutral party (such as a grandparent).  The parents then spilt time living in the home with the child.  This situation shares the legal and physical custody with both parents.  While not ideal for either parent, bird’s nest custody helps the child to keep a consistent residence that might otherwise not be possible.