Understanding Child Custody: The Difference Between Legal and Physical

When facing divorce or even in an scenario where you not married, many clients immediately focus on child custody, which is broken down into two components: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the right and responsibility to make major life decisions for the child, such as those concerning medical care, education, and religious upbringing. This is often shared jointly between parents. Physical custody refers to where the child primarily lives and who handles the day-to-day care. Decisions regarding physical custody—which can be sole or joint—are determined by the court based on the Best Interests of the Child standard, requiring an analysis of parental fitness, stability, and the child's established home and school life. We work diligently to advocate for a custody arrangement that promotes stability and protects your role in your child’s life.

Determining Child Support

Child support is a court-ordered financial obligation calculated using a specific formula established by state law, and it is not typically tied to the amount of time a parent spends with the child. The amount is primarily based on the parents' net income and the number of children involved. Other factors that influence the final order include who pays for the children’s health insurance premiums and who pays for childcare costs necessary for a parent to work. Because the calculation can be highly sensitive to accurate income reporting and the proper consideration of all relevant expenses, our team meticulously reviews all financial documentation to ensure the final child support order is fair, accurate, and reflects the true financial needs of your children.