Tennessee parents who get a divorce must generally decide on how to share custody of their children. In some cases, parents may seek sole custody out of spite for a former partner. However, custody rulings are made based on what is in the best interests of the children. This means that a parent could have sole physical custody while sharing legal custody or share both physical and legal custody.
If a parent has physical custody of a child, it means that a son or daughter will stay with that parent. Sometimes, a judge will order that the child stays in the same home while the parents rotate in and out. This is referred to as bird nest physical custody.
If a parent has sole legal custody of a child, it means that a parent has the ability to make decisions related such matters as education and religion. When parents have joint legal custody, they work together to make these decisions. It is also possible that one parent makes decisions on some issues while the other is in control when it comes to other matters.
Those who are in the middle of a child custody case may benefit from consulting with an attorney. This may help a parent better understand his or her rights and obligations to the child. As a general rule, a parent who is not granted custody may still be given visitation or other rights to the child. This is generally true regardless of how a child’s parents feel about each other.
