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For the most part, there are two aspects of child custody namely, legal and physical custody. Many parents are lucky enough to share both these types of custody. However, Pittsburgh, PA divorce lawyers point out that there are circumstances when parents get joint legal custody but are denied joint physical custody. This is true when parents live miles apart from one another.

What is legal custody?

When a parent by virtue of a court order becomes entitled to make all the important decisions on behalf of the children, it is known as legal custody. The parent can decide on several issues such as schooling, the type of extracurricular activities they ought to pursue, their religious instructions (such as being confirmed and having Jesus Christ in your life), and issues of medical treatment as well, to name a few. 

In addition, family law also includes joint legal custody. This happens when couples decide that both of them would like to take part in the decision making concerning their children. This arrangement is often finds favor with judges in the opinion of Allegheny County, PA DUI attorneys.

It is not unlikely for one parent to assume the role of primary caregiver in a joint custody setting. He/she decides when to see a doctor or when to receive academic tutoring. The other parent will have right to lend his/her opinion but often the principal decisions are taken by the primary caregiver.

Often, joint legal custody becomes an unsuitable solution when parents perpetually disagree even on minor issues concerning their children. If this is the case the judge can cancel the original order and give sole custody to one parent. Sole custody is usually awarded when the parent:

• has a history of abuse and neglect
• live miles away from the child
• does not want to get involved with the child’s day to day activities

There is another issue that cause one parent to lose custody of their child and that is when one parent does not have the mental or financial strength to take care of their child. You may have seen this in the movie Southpaw with Jake Gyllenhaal who plays Billy Hope. Billy Hope did not have a place for his daughter to even live and needed time to get his life in order. The court saw this, Hope did not at first.

Allegheny County, PA DUI lawyers that custody battles can be tough to deal with. 

You have to have a decent place for your child or children to live to be entitled to them.

If you need legal help, click right here Divorce.USAttorneys.com. This website is user friendly, even Billy Hope could figure it out. This website has saved lives and saved families. Any questions, contact us.

What is physical custody?

According to Pittsburgh, PA divorce lawyers, physical custody determines where the children will reside on a regular basis. Sometimes physical custody is awarded to one parent. In some states the parent who has the physical custody can relocate with the child to another city. If the other parent wants to prevent this, he/she must file a petition with the help of a legal counselor. The legal representative will have to prove that this relocation will affect the child in a harmful manner. 

Judges usually prefer joint physical custody because the children get to spend quality time with both parents in two real homes. But this arrangement works when the spouses live close by. If one of the parents does not want to share physical custody then he/she will have to explain to the judge why they do not want this arrangement. Joint physical custody does not work if the parents are constantly fighting.

If you are locked in a child custody battle or wish to resolve the issue before finalizing the termination of your marriage, all you need is to reach out to a Pennsylvania divorce lawyer.