What is joint physical custody?
Joint physical custody refers to the time the child spends with each parent. The amount of time is flexible. It does not have to be fifty-fifty. The length of time could be relatively moderate, such as every other weekend with one parent; or the amount of time could be equally divided between the parents. Parents who opt for equal time-sharing have come up with many alternatives: alternate two-day periods; equal division of the week; alternate weeks; alternate months; alternate four-month periods; and alternate six-month periods. If the child is attending school and spends a substantial amount of time with both parents, it usually is best for the child if the parents live relatively close to each other. A few parents, on an interim basis, have kept the child in a single home while the parents rotate staying in the home with the child.
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