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.
If you and your spouse cannot agree on custody, the court will determine the physical and legal custody of your children. Whether you decide on sole or joint custody, the law works to help children see both parents regularly, unless there are good reasons to keep them apart. In almost all cases, the noncustodial parent has the right to visitation with a minor child. Visitation may not be conditioned upon payment of child support. In some instances, grandparents and certain other persons may also petition the court for visitation rights.