Joint child custody in Rogers County is one of the most fundamental issues in an family law case where minor children are involved. In general, the family law court in Oklahoma will like to award joint custody. Barring some exceptions, the presence or involvement of both parents is considered to be in the best interests of the child.
Joint Legal Custody
If the court awards sole physical custody of the child to one parent, it may still give joint legal custody to both parents. This means that although the child will physically live only with one parent, but both parents would be equally involved in making major decisions related to the child’s upbringing and welfare.
In joint legal custody, both parents have a shared responsibility about making major decisions such as the child’s medical needs, choice of schooling, and the type of religious upbringing the child receives. The courts may deny joint legal custody to one parent only in rare circumstances if they believe it would harm the child’s best interests.
Joint Physical Custody
In case of joint physical custody or co-parenting, the child will live part-time with each parent. However, considering the practical difficulties, it may not be possible in some cases for the child to spend a precisely equal amount of time with each parent. In any case, both parents will have frequent and adequate contact with the child in a joint physical custody.
Both parents in a joint physical custody may also share the right to make major as well as everyday days decisions related to the child. They will also have a shared responsibility to provide care to the child during the period when the child is in their physical custody. The court in Rogers County will approve a joint custody plan that will demarcate each parent’s rights and responsibilities in case of joint physical custody.
2-2-3 Visitation Schedule
This is a 50/50 joint custody plan, where each parent will get to spend an equal amount of time with the child (splitting the 7 days of the week into a 2-2-3 cycle). This type of plan is usually more feasible for younger children because they will not have to remain without a parent for more than three days at a stretch. However, it may not work in case of older kids because of too many exchanges involved.
Week-On-Week-Off Visitation
In this type of 50/50 visitation schedule, the child will transition once a week and both parents will have an equal opportunity to spend time with the child. This type of joint custody plan may
work well for older children because the number of exchanges is reduced. However, for very little kids, it may be disadvantageous because the child will remain without a parent for an extended time period.
Custody Attorney in Rogers County
Divorce and child custody decisions can be life-changing for the parent as well as the child. Our dedicated joint child custody lawyers at Kania Law will encourage both parties to arrive at a mutually acceptable joint custody plan, which is in the best interests of the child and will be approved by the court.
However, if the other party is unwilling to cooperate, we will formulate the best possible legal strategy to ensure that your child custody rights and your child’s best interests are protected. Call Kania Law Office Claremore attorneys at 918-379-4872 or contact us online for a free, no-obligations consultation.
