These child custody provisions are what parents who are going through a divorce face.

The term Joint means both parties are equally sharing that particular type of custody. Legal custody involves certain defined rights parents have regarding input in the care and upbringing of their child.

In some cases, it may be easier for one parent to make these legal decisions without any input from the other parent; especially if the parties have difficulty co-parenting. Physical custody refers to which parent the child primarily resides with. In some cases, this is joint meaning the child stays with each parent about the same amount of time.

Generally, the standard is joint legal with sole physical custody awarded to one parent. Which is better is case specific and determined by an examination of the bests interest of the child.

As seen in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal’s “Ask a Professional.”