As divorce rates continue to rise, more and more children are growing up in a single parent household. Despite the fact that a divorce legally separates the parents from one another, it is important that both remain active in their child's life. Because the welfare of a child becomes the focal point of all child custody cases, it is essential that you hire a qualified divorce attorney who specializes in this area and will work hard to see that the child's best interests are met.

Current divorce laws differ from one state to the next, but there are several basic guidelines that each follows in an effort to achieve a fair custody arrangement for all involved. An experienced divorce attorney will be able to answer any questions that you may have regarding local child custody laws, divorce laws and how to prepare for your case.

Child custody may be granted to either spouse but, in most cases, joint custody is sought and approved for those capable of sharing the responsibilities and decision-making aspects of parenthood. Under these circumstances, it is important to understand the different types of child custody and what they mean to you. Temporary custody, which is most commonly agreed upon in the beginning stages of a marriage separation, is reached amicably by both parents and provides for a temporary resolution to issues surrounding visitation without court involvement. During this stage, the court will typically intervene only if one or both parents are deemed to be unsuitable.

In divorce court and/or divorce mediation, there are basically two types of custody, including legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody involves the rights for making legal decisions for a child, such as those relating to education, healthcare and other important factors that will influence the child's general well-being. Sole legal custody occurs when only one named parent retains the right to make legal decisions for the child, whereas joint legal custody allows for both parents to handle legal decisions without one having superior rights over the other. Physical custody refers to the child's actual residence and is either granted as sole, which means the child lives with one parent, or joint, which means that the child resides with both parents separately for a considerable amount of time during each calendar year.

When it comes to child custody cases, the court will attempt to reach an arrangement that is in the best interest of the child. Although the court will often consider the child's wishes, the final decision is made by a judge after a full review of the case. After a decision is reached in child custody cases, it is widely believed that the child has the right to enjoy an ongoing relationship with both parents, receives continuing care and guidance from both the mother and father, is not influenced by one parent to view the other differently and is able to express his/her feelings and feedback without being made to feel ashamed about said emotions.

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