When you realize you and your spouse are getting divorced in Nebraska, you may wonder what will happen to your children. There are several different kinds of custody arrangements. At London Law Office P.C., L.L.O., we want to make sure you understand these arrangements so you can find the situation that works best for your family.
You may think that custody only determines how often you see your children. According to Very Well Family, physical custody addresses your children’s living situation. If you and your spouse share joint physical custody, then your kids usually divide their time between you. You might have your kids for one week and then take them to their other parent’s home, or the kids may spend several weeks with you. If you have sole physical custody, this means your children live with you full time and visit their other parent for the day or for overnight visits. Sometimes you and your spouse may also decide to try an arrangement called bird’s nest custody. In this situation, the children live in your family home and you and your spouse move in and out. While you may like the idea of keeping your kids in one place, this may not be ideal for some families/ This situation generally requires both you and the children’s other parent to set up your own separate residence.
However, custody also determines the kinds of decisions you can make for your child. If you have legal custody, you can decide what kind of medical care your kids will receive and which schools they will attend. You and the children’s other parent may share legal custody and make these choices together. Alternatively, you might have sole legal custody and make these decisions by yourself. If you have sole legal custody, it is usually up to you whether you consult your ex-spouse.
When awarding custody, a court typically considers your children’s best interests. Many courts want both parents to continue their relationship with the children and may be more likely to order joint physical custody in some situations. Sometimes you may find that a court awards you sole physical custody but orders a large amount of parenting time for your ex-spouse. It is important for you to find the best arrangement for your family, and your particular situation may determine how a court awards custody. You can find more information about this subject on our webpage.
