Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Shared custody means that when parents get divorced or separated, they both have the right to make decisions about their child or children. This includes things like where the child goes to school, what kind of medical care they get, and what religion they practice. It does not necessarily mean that the child will spend equal time with each parent, which is called joint physical custody.
Shared custody
Shared custody is when divorced or separated parents share the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of raising their child or children. This means that both parents have a say in important decisions about their child's life, such as education and healthcare. Shared custody does not necessarily mean that the child spends equal time with each parent.
For example, if a couple gets divorced and they have a child together, they may decide to have shared custody. This means that both parents will have a say in important decisions about their child's life, and the child will spend time with both parents. The parents may agree to split the time with the child equally, or they may come up with a different arrangement that works for them.
Another example could be if a couple separates but was never married and they have a child together. They may also decide to have shared custody, which means that both parents will have a say in important decisions about their child's life, and the child will spend time with both parents.
Shared custody means that both parents have equal say in important decisions about their child's life, and the child spends time with both parents. This is different from sole custody, where one parent has the majority of the decision-making power and the child primarily lives with that parent. Shared custody is often seen as a way to ensure that both parents remain involved in their child's life and that the child has a relationship with both parents.