[[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question","text":"When discussing child custody, the terms legal and physical custody are often used interchangeably. However, these are two distinct types of custody arrangements. Here is what these terms mean:  *Legal custody of a child refers to a parent\u2019s ability to make major decisions about the health and welfare of the child. *Physical custody refers to the ability of a parent to have the child in their physical care, either part- or full-time.","@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Answer"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question1","text":"In cases involving children, most North Carolina courts recognize the vital role that both parents can play in raising a happy and healthy child. Shared parental responsibility, or joint custody, is often the preferred arrangement because it gives both parents access to a child. In a shared custody arrangement, both parents get relatively equal time with the child.  Parents can have shared legal custody, shared physical custody, or both. In a shared legal custody arrangement, both parents can make important decisions about the child\u2019s education, medical treatment, and other important matters. In a shared legal custody agreement, the parents cannot unilaterally make these decisions. They must discuss and agree on a course of action.","@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Answer1"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"Answer Question2","text":"It is typically advised that parents come to an amicable custody arrangement before their case goes before a judge. Cooperation between parents can make the already challenging process of divorce move a little more smoothly and tends to yield more positive results for the child.","@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Answer2"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","text":"There is always the potential that if you and your partner cannot come to a custody agreement, your case will end up before a judge in court. A judge will review all available information and listen to the arguments on both sides. The judge decides custody based on what they believe is in the best interests of the child.","name":"Answer Question3","@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Answer3"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","text":"Reaching a custody arrangement is not always easy. At the heart of every decision a parent makes, they must always consider what is best for their child. Yet, it can be difficult to separate negative feelings about a former partner from the decision at hand. Settling on a child custody arrangement takes communication from both parents. Each side needs to clearly state their concerns. The parties must work through any challenges that arise.","name":"Answer Question4","@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Answer4"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What Are the Types of Child Custody in North Carolina?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Answer"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Question"},{"@type":"Question","name":"What Is Shared Parental Responsibility in North Carolina?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Answer1"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Question1"},{"@type":"Question","name":"How Does Child Custody Work in North Carolina?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Answer2"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Question2"},{"@type":"Question","name":"Will My Child Custody Case Go to Court?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Answer3"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Question3"},{"@type":"Question","name":"How Do I Go About Reaching a Child Custody Agreement?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Answer4"},"@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#Question4"}],"name":"Jacksonville Child Custody Lawyer ","@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#FAQPage"}],{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Family Law","item":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Child Custody","item":"https:\/\/www.jdwarlick.com\/family-law-attorney\/child-custody\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]