Most people, however, do not qualify for an annulment. Except by court order for certain emergencies, a minimum of several months usually elapses between serving the initial papers and the final hearing date. A divorce is not effective until the Judgment and Decree is entered in the court records. You and your spouse can decide who will take care of your children. Sole custody means one parent has primary responsibility for bringing up the children.
Joint custody means both parents share the responsibility.
If you and your spouse choose joint custody, you can decide on joint legal custody, joint physical custody, or both. With joint legal custody, both parents are involved in making important decisions about the children, such as where they will go to school. Joint physical custody means that the children spend time living with each parent on a regular basis. They do not have to spend equal amounts of time with each parent, although they may do so. Many situations involve sole physical and joint legal custody of the children.