How to Get Joint Custody of Your Child?

If you want to get joint custody of your child, you need to be aware of the different types of petitions you can file. You can petition for joint legal custody and joint physical custody. It is your burden to convince the court that joint custody is in the child’s best interest. It is also your duty to show that your plan for the child is in the best interests of the child. 

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Shared physical custody 

If you are a parent who is facing a custody battle, shared physical custody may be the ideal solution. Shared custody has become more common as more women are in the workforce and families are becoming more diverse. In addition, social science research shows that children benefit from both parents being involved in their lives. While it is not always easy to get shared custody of your child, it is possible. 

If you want to get joint physical custody, you must first decide which parent will spend the most time with their child. This can be done by filing for joint legal and physical custody. A parenting time plan will help you come up with the best schedule for your child. 

Joint legal custody 

Joint legal custody can ease the burden of parenting and be beneficial to children. It also helps prevent psychological problems and fosters healthy self-esteem. Children with collaborative parents learn how to compromise and resolve disagreements. In addition, joint legal custody can help parents share parenting responsibilities. The process is not without risks, and both parties will need to make sacrifices. 

When determining who will have custody, the courts often look at factors such as how well both parents are bonded with the child. They also look at the history of drug or alcohol abuse or violence, school ratings, and the child’s relationship with other family members. If both parents agree that joint legal custody is best for the child, they should work together to get it. 

Stipulation and consent order 

Filing a Stipulation and Consent Order is a formal process that involves a judge approving changes to the existing court order. The Stipulation outlines the rules governing the parents’ contact with the children and details the ways in which they can communicate with the children. The Stipulation also outlines what the parties are not allowed to do in front of the children. 

The parties to the divorce must also agree to all the terms of the proposed court order. These include custody, child support, and parenting time. If the parties cannot agree on these details, the judge may require the parties to hire a mediator. 

Parent’s burden to show the court why joint custody is in the child’s best interest 

The burden of proof for a parent to prove that joint custody is in a child’s best interest falls on several factors. These include the financial and mental health of both parents and the proximity of the parents to the child. The court will also look into the child’s safety and physical well-being. 

Generally, it is the parent’s burden to demonstrate to the court that joint physical and legal custody is in a child’s best interest. This is especially true when the two parents are able to cooperate. However, in the event that the parents are unable to agree, the court may decide that joint custody is in the child’s best interests. If this is the case, the parent is not required to make equal parenting time.