What is the difference between a sole and joint custody arrangement?

The difference between a sole and joint custody arrangement in Virginia involves who is given legal and physical responsibility over a child. Generally, in a sole custody arrangement, one parent is given legal and physical responsibility over the child. In a joint custody arrangement, both parents are given legal responsibility over the child, but the physical custody of the child depends on whether the parents can agree to joint physical custody, or if a court orders the arrangement. In a sole custody arrangement, the parent with legal and physical responsibility, also known as the custodial parent, is typically the parent with whom the child lives with the majority of the time. The non-custodial parent is usually given visitation rights as determined by the court. This parent pays a court-ordered child support to the custodial parent. In a joint custody arrangement, the parents must work together to make decisions in regard to the child’s education, health, religious upbringing, and other major decisions. The child typically spends a relatively equal amount of time between both parents, however, how the arrangement works ultimately depends on the best interests of the child. The parents usually decide on how to equally divide the costs related to the child, such as medical costs or school tuition. In some cases, one parent may be required to pay the other parent child support to ensure that each parent can equally provide for the child.

Related FAQs

How does the change in tax laws affect child support payments?
What happens if a parent receiving child support dies?
How can I locate a parent who has not met their child support obligations?
What is the Child Support Enforcement (CSE) Program?
How can parents adjust a child support order?
How long do I have to pay child support?
How does child support payments change if a parent gets a raise?
What are the consequences for failing to comply with a child support order?
How do I dispute a child support order?
Can I get a refund of child support payments?

What is the difference between a sole and joint custody arrangement?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts