Legal custody is a key part of any parenting plan. If you're going through a separation, divorce, or co-parenting, it's important to understand your options.
In this post, we’ll explain what joint legal custody means, how it works, and whether it might be the right option for your family. Plus, we’ll show you how to incorporate joint legal custody into a parenting plan with our attorney-drafted templates.
What Is Joint Legal Custody?
Joint legal custody means that both parents share the responsibility and authority to make major decisions for their child(ren). These decisions typically involve:
✓ Medical and dental care
✓ Education and school-related matters
✓ Religious upbringing
✓ Mental health and counseling
✓ Travel outside the state or internationally
✓ Extracurricular activities and programs
With joint legal custody, both parents must communicate and agree on these key issues. One parent cannot make a major decision without first consulting the other.
Benefits of Joint Legal Custody
Encourages active involvement by both parents
Ensures both parents' perspectives are considered in important decisions
Helps maintain a stable upbringing
Reinforces collaboration and communication
When Joint Legal Custody Might Not Be Ideal
Joint legal custody works best when both parents:
- Can communicate respectfully
- Are committed to working together
- Have similar values or goals for their child(ren)’s upbringing
It may not be suitable in high-conflict situations, or where there's a history of abuse, neglect, or inability to communicate effectively.
How to Add Joint Legal Custody to Your Parenting Plan
To legally protect your rights and avoid future misunderstandings, it’s important to use clear, attorney-drafted language when including joint legal custody in your parenting plan.
Get the Joint Legal Custody Template You Can Trust
We’ve created a Joint Legal Custody Template that’s ready to customize for your family situation. It includes:
- Clear definitions of legal custody
- Decision-making guidelines
- Cooperation clauses
- Optional final decision-maker language
Joint legal custody is a powerful way to ensure both parents remain involved in their child(ren)’s life. With the right structure in your parenting plan, you can set clear expectations and reduce the potential for conflict.
If you’re drafting a parenting plan, take the time to explore your custody options and choose the language that reflects your family’s needs. And remember, attorney-drafted templates can help you get it right from the start.
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