im going through a divorce my court is on the 28th of this month and im a really good father to my kids and as i was to her 2 other children, but i want Joint Custody for my two kids what does joint custody really mean
2007-02-14 11:40:06 · 13 answers · asked by hotrod 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Shared custody, co-parenting, and that largely depends on the state that you are in. It easily translates to a pain in the asss, and major interference in your ability to move on. If you do not already have a ring in your nose, go ahead and get one now, save your ex the trouble. I am so sorry. Please do not resort to violence. (It will be very tempting)
That does NOT means that you do not have to pay child support (in Texas). It does NOT reduce child support payments one iota. To be clear, it has NO effect whatsoever on your financial obligations.
2007-02-14 11:45:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Joint custody "legal" means you have equal decision-making, e.g. where kids go to school which doctor etc. while joint "physical" is actually sharing time with the kids. It can be 50/50, 20/80, whatever. You did not state your children's ages, but the younger the child then the more disruptive the joint situations tend to be. Teachers (my relatives who teach kids anyway) tell me their kids who shuttle back and forth between homes during the week are a mess, forgetting their homework etc. You have to really consider this carefully and keep the best interests of your kids in mind. Is your ex really a better parent? Does he/she know how to keep after them about their homework, how to pack a lunch for them, restrict TV and video game time etc? Are you someone who could pack your kids' lunch? These are important questions really, although they may seem trivial at first. Joint custody affects the daily quality-of-life for the kids and you really need to live in the same town or at least same county as your ex. Consult a child psychologist or other professional for further advice if there are deeper issues (high-conflict divorce, substance abuse, domestic violence, ex has a live-in boy/girlfriend, etc.) and always keep your kids best interests in mind, because that's what the judge will consider first. Good luck. - J.
2007-02-14 19:57:19 · answer #2 · answered by jahzebel 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Chances are she will be awarded residential parental custody but in a joint custody you both have equal say in major areas of the kids life. You will become the non residential parent with state mandated visitation rights. You will get the child support payments. Not exactly the best situation for the kids but keeps you both in their lives, but she alone gets to write the kids off on her taxes. The best thing you can do for the kids sake is to stay civil with each other no matter how difficult it may be as there will come a day youll want or need something extra involving the kids and its easier to get. Good luck
2007-02-14 20:16:34 · answer #3 · answered by Arthur W 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Joint legal custody means that each parent has the right to make decisions regarding the child's major life choices, such as where to live, where to go to school, whether to participate in activities. It is good in theory, but it only works when the individuals involved put aside any feelings of resentment, jealousy, animosity, and mutual antipathy. Joint physical custody means that each parent shares substantial residential time with the child, not necessarily 50/50 but substantial. It is difficult to make work practically but is worth the effort for the kid.
Neither, if it just words in the divorce decree, means much in reality. Again it depends on whether the parents can actually discuss their child's needs and work together. A very wise judge once told a divorcing couple in a custody battle "that the opposite of love is not hate, but apathy."
Good luck.
2007-02-14 20:02:07 · answer #4 · answered by Unknown Oscillator 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Joint custody can mean two things. 1) Major decisions for the children are to be made by both parents. 2) Share the children--one week with one parent-the next week with the other. It wouldn't be good for that point if the schools would be different for the children. Do you have an attorney? If so, please talk with him/her asap and get further information on this matter. I wish you the best. Take care.
2007-02-14 20:04:15 · answer #5 · answered by SAK 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Joint custody is fine. I had it for years after I got divorced. It will only work if you all remain living close together. Somebody needs to be the primary caregiver. I still have joint legal custody but my child lives with me full time. She goes to her mom's every other weekend. There are countless ways to remedy this situation. I know it is expensive but ask your lawyer, also your state may be different.
2007-02-14 19:59:13 · answer #6 · answered by Ashley 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Joint Custody means you both share taking care of your children. Half time for you, half time for her.
I don't know the reason of you going to a divorce, but going through it is harder than you can possibly think of. Financially, Emotionally and Physically drain you out!
2007-02-14 19:49:11 · answer #7 · answered by C. J. V 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
joint custody as per the courts means that any decisions that are made for the children have to be agreed upon by BOTH of you and if one parent says no then there has to be some kind of mediation about it and if still theres no resolution for it it goes before a judge and you will have to get a lawyer she'll have to get a lawyer and you both will have to split the costs for a lawyer for your children.
2007-02-14 23:14:47 · answer #8 · answered by Darrell V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go for the joint custody of the children, will mean they live with u some of the time, with her the rest. lets u out of alot of the child support u would have had to pay.
2007-02-14 19:45:39 · answer #9 · answered by jude 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
lol most men that want joint custody because that means no child support to pay or recieve. but i agree with the first answer. not always the best for the kids.
2007-02-14 19:43:51 · answer #10 · answered by themom95 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋