(801) 254-9450 The term child custody means different things under Utah law. As a parent, it is possible to have both physical and legal custody of a minor child, or potentially just one. When you have physical custody, your home is generally considered your child’s primary residence.
In modern parenting agreements, both sides typically share some degree of physical child custody in South Jordan. While this is often best for building relationships with your children, it can also make things more complicated. Let the dedicated child custody attorneys at Carr | Woodall help you secure the parental rights you deserve.
Physical custody refers to where a child lives and which parent is responsible for the child’s day-to-day care. Physical custody determines who provides meals, transportation, supervision, and daily routines. A parent with physical custody is often called the custodial parent, although the non-custodial parent may still have regular parenting time or visitation.
Physical custody is distinct from legal custody, which deals with decision-making authority. Courts award physical custody based on what serves the best interest of the child, aiming to ensure stability, safety, and emotional well-being. If both parents can provide a supportive environment, the court may consider a shared arrangement. Regardless of the specific outcome, physical custody shapes a child’s daily life and significantly impacts a South Jordan family’s dynamics during and after divorce.
In South Jordan, physical child custody may be awarded as either joint or sole custody. Joint physical custody means the child spends significant time living with both parents, though not necessarily an equal 50/50 split. This arrangement works best when both parents live nearby and maintain a cooperative relationship.
Sole physical custody, on the other hand, means the child lives primarily with one parent. That does not mean the other parent will not have any contact with their children. This is more common when one parent travels frequently, has limited availability, or the court determines that joint custody is not in the child’s best interest.
Even in sole custody cases, the non-custodial parent can remain actively involved through visitation and shared legal custody. Courts typically try to share custody among parents unless there is a compelling reason to believe that is not what is best for the child.
Child custody orders can remain in place for nearly 18 years, so it should come as no surprise that they may need to be amended from time to time. Circumstances change, which can make an arrangement that once worked for everyone no longer viable.
You have the right to petition the court to amend your physical child custody rights in South Jordan, but the judge will not alter these terms on a whim. You will need to show that there has been a material change in circumstances, either for one of the parents or the child. This could include anything from a serious illness to a loss of financial support. Even when these factors are present, the judge will only modify the terms when doing so best fits a child’s needs.
The relationship you have with your children is important, and the team at Carr | Woodall is here to protect it. Whether you are looking for sole physical custody or are willing to share with your co-parent, our attorneys could help you navigate the process with ease. Reach out to our team to discuss physical child custody in South Jordan today.