Joint Custody

If you are involved in custody litigation, it is important to know the courts are attempting to look at what is in the child's best interests. In the past, sole physical custody was often awarded traditionally to the mothers. The struggle for equal time-sharing became prominent in recent years with fathers' rights groups, while many women's groups became hostile to the concept.

Many people believe the term "Joint Custody" means equal time-sharing. This is incorrect. A Court may award both parents joint custody of children. In this case, one parent could have custody during the week and alternate weekends. The other parent may have custody on alternate weekends and perhaps one midnight evening. This is obviously not equal time-sharing.

Generally, judges vary in their receptiveness to the concept of equal time-sharing.

If the parents are both capable of equal time share to their children, it just may occur. However, each parent must be honest in their assessment of each person's schedule and attempt to work out a reasonable custody solution. One local Judge once made a remark in his court stating " I don't know your children, I don't love your children, and why would you want a man who wears a black dress making a custody decision for you ?" With this being said, if both parents can recognize their work schedules and agree to a fair visitation schedule for their children, without believing more visitation will reduce child support payments, then the parents and children will both benefit.