Does shared parenting provide equal custody?

Shared parenting, often known as joint custody, is a legal arrangement that allows both parents to have equal rights and responsibilities when it comes to raising their child. In California, parents are generally given equal parenting authority, meaning that both parents have an equal say in decision-making when it comes to the child’s care and upbringing. While the court will typically favor decisions that are in the best interest of the child, both parents are granted equal rights and responsibilities when it comes to child custody. However, shared parenting does not necessarily mean that each parent will have equal physical and legal custody of the child. Physical custody refers to who the child lives with, while legal custody refers to who is responsible for making decisions about the child’s medical care, education, and other matters. In some cases, one parent may be awarded sole physical and/or legal custody of the child due to factors such as their ability to provide the most suitable environment for the child’s care and upbringing. In such cases, the non-custodial parent will usually be granted visitation rights. In short, shared parenting does not always mean that each parent will have the same amount of physical and legal custody of the child. Ultimately, the court will make a determination based on what it believes is in the best interest of the child.

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