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What Are the Different Types of Child Custody in Louisiana

types of child custody in louisiana
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If there’s one thing that can be said about the policies of Louisiana on child custody, it is this – the final decision will always be in the best interest of the child.

Of course, that is not the only thing that you need to know.

As a parent who is currently dealing with battles for the custody of their child, it’s important to know about the types of custody in Louisiana. That is exactly what the Law Office of Christopher M Stahl will cover in this post:

Different Types of Child Custody in Louisiana

There are several types of child custody in Louisiana:

  • Legal custody
  • Physical custody
  • Sole custody
  • Shared custody
  • Joint custody

Legal Custody Vs. Physical Custody

The first thing you need to understand is the difference between legal custody and physical custody. These are not mutually exclusive, but they are the two main types of child custody.

Legal custody is the legal designation of custody applied to a particular circumstance (sole custody or joint custody). On the other hand, physical custody refers to how much time the child should spend with each parent.

Every case is unique when it comes to such designations. For example, there are cases where the mother and the father share both legal and physical custody. In many circumstances, both parents share equal legal custody, but one gets primary physical custody of the child.

Sole Custody

In sole custody, only one parent gets primary custody of the child, and this is the parent who has the sole legal custody of the child. This means this parent is under no obligation to share information with the other parent regarding their child. There will be no need to consult the other parent when making decisions.

It is worth noting that sole custody is only granted if both parties agree to it or if it is evident that this is the best decision for the child.

As for physical custody, the parent who wins sole custody gets it, and the other parent may or may not be awarded visitation rights. While many parents hope for this decision, it is a rare outcome as it is often not the best for the child.

Joint Custody

In joint custody, both parents get legal custody of the child. However, they don’t get equal physical custody. While both parents share the rights and responsibilities, they do not have the same physical custody.

Depending on the child’s and the parents’ schedules, their locations, and other circumstances, it may be impossible to have equal physical custody, in which case a parent will be designated as a domiciliary parent.

Shared Custody

In shared custody, both parents are given legal custody of the child with equal physical custody, too. That means the child will be spending equal time living with each parent, and both parents have equal rights and responsibilities.

Talk to an experienced divorce lawyer about the types of child custody in Louisiana.

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Conclusion

These are the different types of child custody in Louisiana. Joint and shared custody are usually the preferable arrangement. Louisiana does recognize the importance of spending quality time with both parents. However, that’s not always the suitable setup for every child. Depending on your specific situation, you might want to be granted sole custody or, at the very least, joint custody. Remember, though, that in Louisiana, sole custody is reserved for truly dire circumstances.

If you need a child custody lawyer in Bossier City or Shreveport, the Law Office of Christopher M Stahl can help you out. Child custody battles are complex, and you need a lawyer who is an expert in child custody in Louisiana who has your child’s and your best interest. Let our seasoned divorce attorney help you get through this ordeal. Contact us today for legal consultation!
Contact us by filling out the form below.

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