Types of Child Custody Agreements, Including One Rare Agreement

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When couples with kids divorce, child custody is a major issue that arises. Of course, each one of you may have a lawyer by your side to deal with the issues; but you, as a parent, must also know a little about child custody and its types.

Types of child custody agreements

The last one is an agreement done in exceptional cases.

Joint Custody 

Joint child custody in Maryland is common. In this agreement, both parents share equal physical custody and care and legal responsibilities of their children. This agreement suits well for couples who divorce amicably. It may not suit couples who have resentment against each other or in cases of abuse and domestic violence.

Full or sole custody 

Sole custody is useful when one parent is incapable or unfit to take responsibility for the child. In this agreement, the custodial parent has full rights to physical care and rearing and legal responsibilities. He or she has full right to decide for their child in every aspect of their life. The non-custodial parent can only visit the child on fixed days and time and spend some time with them. 

Third-party or non-parental custody 

The court grants third-party custody in cases wherein one parent passes away, and the other parent is unfit to keep the child. Divorce and custody lawyers can also help to draft this agreement when the child is living with the third party for a long time and wants to live with them only. The third party can be grandparents, uncles, and aunties, or any other relative or close friend.

In this case, the third party must prove that the child's parents are unfit to keep the child. 

Split custody 

Split custody is rare. In this agreement, custody of children is split between parents. Suppose the couple has three kids. Two kids would stay with the mother, while one would stay with the father. The court usually deters in granting split custody because the siblings are separated, and this would add to the woes of the children, who are already tormented mentally due to their parents' divorce.

However, in case the children are ready to split, the court has no problem. Also, the court takes into account factors like the special needs of a particular child, the age difference between siblings, disciplinary issues, and others.

Common custody scene 

It is often seen that mothers get sole custody of their children. Fathers have to fight hard to get sole custody. However, with competent divorce and custody lawyers by your side, you can prove that you are capable enough to rear your children and give them the best in life.

Abusive divorces 

At times, the fight between parents for child custody turns ugly. One parent may take any measure to prove that the other one is incapable of keeping the child.

 Divorce cases are of varied types. Not all are amicable. In cases where one parent is abusive, fraud, violent, or of a malicious mind, the other parent must make sure they have a good child custody lawyer in Maryland to represent their case in the most aggressive manner.