Joint child custody is a common arrangement in Creek County, Oklahoma, where both parents share legal and/or physical custody of their child. This arrangement aims to ensure that the child maintains a strong relationship with both parents. In perfect circumstances, both parties will be on board with the arrangements. In more severe instances, you may have to see out a court order for it. Here, we’ll discuss what you need to know when seeking joint child custody.

Understanding Joint Custody

Joint custody can be divided into two main types:

1. Joint Legal Custody: Both parents share the responsibility of making important decisions about the child’s upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religious training.
2. Joint Physical Custody: The child spends significant time living with both parents, although not necessarily an equal amount of time.

Different options work better for different families, so think about what the best choice is for you and your children. Joint custody provides benefits such as emotional stability, parental involvement, and shared responsibilities. In a lot of instances, joint legal and physical go hand in hand. However, having one does not automatically make you entitled to the other. This is why having a stable co-parenting relationship in joint custody is important if possible. Without it, problems can come up that make it harder on the children.

Steps to Obtain Joint Child Custody

After deciding that this is the option you wish to pursue, there are certain steps you need to take.

1. Consult an Attorney: Engage a family law attorney who specializes in child custody matters. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process, understand your rights, and advocate for your interests.
2. File a Petition: Next, file a petition for joint custody with the Creek County Family Court. The petition should include your request for joint custody and outline your proposed custody arrangement.
3. Draft a Parenting Plan: Develop a comprehensive parenting plan that details how custody and visitation will be shared. This plan should address things such as a custody schedule, how decisions will be made, and how disputes will be handled.
4. Attend Mediation: In some cases, the court may require mediation to help parents reach an agreement on custody arrangements. Mediation provides a neutral setting to discuss and resolve custody issues.
5. Submit Evidence: Be ready to provide evidence that joint custody is in the best interest of the child. This includes details such as parental involvement, living arrangements, and information about the child’s relationship with each parent.
6. Court Hearing: Attend the court hearing where a judge will review the petition, the parenting plan, and any evidence presented. Both parents will have the opportunity to present their case.

The court’s primary consideration is the best interests of the child, and they will look at all of the evidence presented before making their decision. Depending on the age and maturity of the child, they may also ask for the child’s input.

Finalizing the Custody Agreement

If the judge approves the joint custody arrangement, they will issue a custody order that outlines the terms of the agreement. Both parents have a legal obligation to adhere to this order. It is important to follow the custody plan and maintain open communication with the other parent to ensure a cooperative co-parenting relationship.

If circumstances change significantly, either parent can request a modification of the custody arrangement. This requires filing a petition with the court and demonstrating that the modification is in the best interest of the child.

Creek County Child Custody Attorneys

Obtaining joint child custody in Creek County involves filing a petition, creating a detailed parenting plan, and demonstrating that the arrangement serves the best interests of the child. The process requires careful preparation and, often, the guidance of a knowledgeable family law attorney. If you’re wanting to pursue joint child custody, our team at Creek County Attorneys can help you through the process and advocate for you. Call us at 918-209-3709 for a free and confidential consultation or ask a legal question here.