Can anyone describe the difference between joint legal custody and shared parenting? Which is better? What is better, sole legal custody or joint legal custody? My ex is a very good dad but we do have trouble communicating, agreeing on things.

the difference between joint legal custody and shared parenting
Nothing.

http://www.sharedparenting.net/
The term shared parenting, refers to a post-divorce parenting arrangement that attempts to approximate the parent-child relationships in the original two-parent home, in which both parents have not only equal rights and responsibilities for their children's welfare and upbringing but have an active role to play in the daily routines of their children's care and development, and in which each other remain salient attachment figures in their children's lives. As the living arrangement that most closely resembles the pre-divorce family in cases where both parents had an active parenting role before divorce, shared parenting encompasses both shared physical caretaking (the actual day-to-day care of children) and equal authority regarding children's education, medical care, and religious upbringing

<small>[ July 13, 2004, 04:30 PM: Message edited by: Chris -CA123 ]</small>

?Moving On?,

I guess chris cleared up the main question.

As for Joint or Sole custody, I would think that Sole legal custody would be most appropriate if you had reason to believe that H would not be able to provide suitable care for the children or could not make responible decissions regarding them.

I've only seen sole custody situations where there was a lot of abuse, some type of addiction, or the pottential of mental instability that could be a threat to the well being of the children.

WIWH

I didn't click through the attachment, but joint legal custody is the standard unless abuse occurred.

These are separate issues in my state: joint vs. sole legal custody regards decision making.
Shared parenting means the time each parent spends with the children (usually stated on overnights).

I'm not familiar with shared parenting, unless it is another name for joint physical custody. There is a men's group lobbying for joint legal AND joint physical to be the norm here in Michigan. DV advocacy groups are against it.

With joint physical custody, there is usually not child support paid by or to either parent, and the time shared with the kids by each parent is closer to 50/50. It doesn't work for most, especially if parents don't get along. And typically, ex-spouses don't.

Again, joint legal is the norm.

Shared parenting can come in many forms, with child support paid based on the income differentials and the number of overnights with the kids. I have the worksheets for my state.

The old standard parenting time (previously called visitation) was that dad's had the kids one night per week and every other weekend, with overnights on Fri & Sat and sunday return. This resulted in 4 nights over 14 days or 28% of time with dad. More states are moving toward 50/50 or at least more time with dad. It depends on many factors including the age & sex of the children, previous parenting, and psychological state of the parents.

Break up these two issues. Buy the book Mom's House/Dad's house to get some creative ideas.
Good luck.

I have sole custody because the now ex did not show up (or respond to ANYTHING).

Chris consider yourself very lucky.
Some X's fight on ridiculous issues.
My friend, although the parent of primary residence (PPR), has an X who is demanding their children attend his school district. Typically PPR means they attend schools there, but the joint legal custody gives X the right to fight.
So more legal fees, and more agida.

Uggh.

thanks everyone for your replies. I don't have a huge problem with my stbx having joint legal custody. I was going to fight it but don't know that it is worth the money/hassle. He doesn't want joint physical - we don't want to do the 50/50 seems too hard on little ones esp ages 1 & 3. My stbx admitted himself into the hospital for a mental health evaltuation about one month ago. He was suicidal over OW ending their relationship. He was in for 4 days. He seems fine now. Is on his 3rd different brand of anti-depressants and has been diagnosed with major depression. Other than that he is a wonderful father. He has some trouble sleeping though and was given Rx sleeping pills. If he takes them he sleeps forever, if he doesn't, then he doesn't sleep at all. Anway, our 1st court date is Aug 9th. Just trying to plan it all.