Types of Child Custody in Jacksonville

What type of custody is right for you?

In the state of Florida, child custody will be determined based upon what is in the best interests of the child. There and many different types of child custody arrangements and these will vary significantly based upon the specific needs of each family. Below are some of the most common types of custody in Florida:

Legal Custody
If one parent is awarded with legal custody, it means that they will have the legal right to make any and all decisions regarding a child’s education, religion, or healthcare. If both parents are given joint legal custody, it means that they will both have an equal right to make decisions regarding the upbringing and care of their child. In situations where the parents have joint legal custody, the parents must consult one another before important decisions can be made.

Physical Custody
If a parent has physical custody, the child will live with them a majority of the time and may have visitation with the other parent. Joint physical custody may be awarded to both parents if the child spends an equal amount of time with them both. Joint physical custody gives parents the right to equal amounts of time with their child.

Sole Custody
Sole custody will give one parent legal custody, physical custody or both. Also known as “primary custody,” this type of custody gives one parent the primary decision making authority while the other parent may have secondary rights or visitation. It is rare for the Family Courts to grant sole custody unless one parent is uninvolved or unfit, because they typically want to give both parents an equal opportunity to be involved in the child’s life.

Joint Custody
With joint custody, custody will be awarded to both parents. The child may live with one parent more than the other depending upon the specific arrangement, but both parents have the right to equal time with the child.