Whether one of the parents is unfit due to substance abuse or emotional or psychological disability. Which parent has been the primary care giver and nurturer of the children prior to the separation. The age and genders of the children. The ability to meet the financial needs of the children.
Joint custody is a general term.
There are two aspects of custody, either of which or both can be joint. Joint legal custody means that both parents have an equal right to make decisions concerning their children's welfare. This would include decisions about religious training, education, medical treatment and other important decisions concerning the children. It is possible to have joint legal custody, even if the children live with one parent most of the time. Joint physical custody describes the actual living arrangements of the children.