Childcare: Your guide to the different types of childcare
Childcare: Your guide to the different types of childcare
No one gets married and already thinks about divorce. Over 2 million couples got married in the United States last year, and it’s likely that most of them believe their marriage will last forever.
Unfortunately, almost half will end up in divorce.
Divorce is a difficult process. Even when you’re emotionally prepared, you still have resources to share and mountains of paper to fill out.
If you have children, it can be even more difficult.
For this reason, it is important to draw up a custody plan in court. But what are your options?
Not all guard modes work in all situations. For this reason, there are actually four different types of child care facilities.
In the guide below, we explain each type so you can decide which one is right for you.
Physical care of a child
Physical support is the simplest of all terms. This means which parent the child will live with.
If the mother has custody, the child or children live with her. If the court gives custody to the father, the children live with him.
The parent who gained physical custody becomes the custodial parent. Some states grant joint custody. This would be a situation where a child divides their time between both parents’ homes.
This situation is ideal when one of the parents works and travels a lot. Even if one parent is an RN or ER, joint custody can be a viable option.
It is usually granted if the parents’ homes are relatively close together. It also helps if both parents live in the same school district.
One hears the expression “the best interests of the child” again and again. This applies in particular to joint custody. If the parents live too far apart or have busy working days, this can affect the possibility of joint custody.
Exclusive Custody
Custodial custody and sole custody may seem similar, but they are very different.
When it comes to physical custody, one parent is not considered better than the other, only the placement is better for the child. In cases of sole custody, one parent is generally considered “unfit” to raise a child.
The judge grants sole custody if it is clear and can be proven that the other parent falls into this category. Sometimes it can be a safety issue, for example a parent is involved in group activities. Other times they are addicted to drugs or alcohol and concerned about the well-being of the child.
One parent can also be granted sole custody because the other is living with someone who could harm the child.
In most cases of sole custody, the other parent has access to it. This may mean a supervised or unsupervised visit.
Except in exceptional cases, the unaccompanied parent has the right to visit. If you feel your divorce is headed in this direction and you are caught in extreme circumstances, make sure your attorney explains all possible outcomes.
Courts will not award sole custody without sole custody because one parent does not like the other parent’s new partner. Furthermore, you cannot refuse visits for this or any other reason.
The only exception is if you feel your child is in danger while you are spending time with your ex-spouse. For example, let’s say your ex picks up your child and it’s clear they’ve been drinking. You don’t have to put your child at risk by driving with your ex.
This scenario is the best documented. If possible, contact the local police and file a report. This isn’t meant to get your ex in trouble; is designed to protect you if you are accused of custody and you have broken a custody order.
