The end of a marriage will bring significant changes for every member of the family. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to child custody, and the right solution for your Arizona family depends on the individual details of your specific situation. It is beneficial to consider ways you can create a custody and visitation plan that will suit your kids and their needs. As you negotiate terms and work toward the creation of a workable and sustainable plan, it may help to know all of the options available to you.
There are different types of custody options, and you can create a plan that will allow you to provide stability and security for your kids long-term. The goal of any final order will be to protect the best interests of your kids above all else, even over how you feel in the moment. In order to reach beneficial decisions that will best suit your children, you may have to set aside your own temporary emotions and focus on the needs of the kids.
What you should know about child custody
There are two main categories of child custody — legal custody and physical custody. These two elements will be a critical component of any custody plan you create. Legal custody refers to the right that you have to make important decisions on behalf of your children, including those pertaining to religious upbringing, education, health care and more. Parents can share legal custody, making decisions for their kids cooperatively.
Physical custody refers to the amount of time you will be with your children. This includes vacations, summer break, weekend visitation and more. In many cases, it benefits the kids to allow them to share equitable time with their parents as it gives them the opportunity to maintain strong relationships with each of them. In joint custody arrangements, parents will often share both physical and legal custody.
Seeking the best for your kids
Divorce is hard, and it can be most difficult for the youngest members of the family. If you are considering your custody options, you will benefit from thinking about how you can put the needs of your kids first. When you focus on the children, you may find that it is easier to reach terms with the other parent that will allow both of you to support and care for them during this time of change and transition.