Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk have agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their two-year-old daughter. They have also agreed to live in the same city, New York City, to take care of her. The arrangement includes a 50/50 split of time between the parents, but the child’s exact schedule with each parent could vary from month-to-month due to their respective work schedules. Cooper and Shayk have decided not to have a formal, written custody agreement.
Determining Child Custody
Child custody is the legal ability and responsibility to make major decisions about how to care for and raise a child. It could, for example, encompasses determinations regarding the child’s education, religion and health care.
Depending on your family’s unique circumstances, you may be able to pursue the following child custody options:
- Sole Custody: one person has the authority and responsibility to make major decisions about the child and how they will be raised.
- Joint Custody: two people, usually both parents, have the responsibility of making decisions about the child’s life.
- Joint Legal Custody: both parents share the responsibility of making decisions and caring for the child.
- Joint Physical Custody (Shared Custody): The Child Support Guidelines outline that shared custody is where a child lives with each parent at least 40% of the time.
- Split Custody: there is more than one child involved, and at least one child remains with each parent – with consent from both parents.
If the child lives with one parent, then the other parent usually has a right to visit and spend time with their child. The child’s other relatives can also apply for access. A person who has legal access to a child also has the right to receive information about the child, depending, of course, on the custody arrangement.
Explore Your Custody Options Today
Contact the family lawyers at Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. if you have questions about child custody or legal separations. Our experienced legal team has been representing clients in divorce and family law cases for over 30 years. With our help, you can develop a child custody arrangement that provides for your child’s unique needs.
Contact Feldstein Family Law Group P.C. at (905) 581-7222 to schedule a free case consultation.