What is the difference between joint legal custody and joint physical custody?

Joint legal custody and joint physical custody are two different types of custody in North Carolina. Under joint legal custody, both parents have the legal right to participate in decisions about their child’s upbringing, such as the child’s education, medical care, and religious upbringing. Joint legal custody does not determine where the child will actually live, as that is determined by the physical custody arrangement. Joint physical custody is when both parents get to share the time the child spends with them. Joint physical custody does not necessarily mean that the time is evenly split – one parent can have physical custody more often. Joint physical custody in North Carolina can mean that the child spends some time living with one parent and some time living with the other. The parents can also divide the time between them in some other way, such as alternating weeks or weekends. In summary, joint legal custody is the legal right to make decisions about their child’s upbringing, while joint physical custody is the right to have the child physically present with both parents. It is important for parents to work together and come to an agreement on custody arrangements that will be in their child’s best interest.

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