If you’re going through a divorce, you likely have a lot of issues to consider, including child custody. You and your ex will have to decide how to care for your children in a way that fits your lifestyle and tends to the best interests of the children. If you’re a Texas resident and trying to figure out the right custody arrangements for your family, here are some things to keep in mind.
Types of custody
Depending on the needs of your children, you can opt for joint or sole physical child custody or legal custody. Physical custody refers to where the child will live. If you file for sole physical custody, your child(ren) will live with you and their other parent can visit them and/or take them for the weekend according to your custody agreement. If you choose joint custody, you and your ex will care for the children in your homes and the children will split their time between your residences.
Legal custody refers to who will make decisions for the child. If you have sole legal custody, you will determine where the child will attend school/church, receive medical attention, and which extracurricular activities the child can pursue. If you and your ex have joint legal custody, you will both have the legal right to make decisions on behalf of your children.
Types of visitation
Visitation refers to seeing your children if you don’t have physical child custody. You can have unsupervised custody if you don’t have a criminal history and the courts deem you an acceptable parent. Parents with supervised custody can see their children if another trusted adult or social worker is present.
If you don’t live in the same city or state as your child(ren), you can request virtual visitation. This allows you to schedule a designated time to speak with your children via video conferencing so you can maintain a bond with your little ones even if you don’t live close to each other.