Physical custody may be joint with substantially shared time, or primary with one parent and parenting time for the other. Designations affect support calculations and relocation standards.
Terminology varies substantially by state.
Alternative Names:
Residential Custody|Parenting Time Custody
Why it Matters?
The designation drives child support calculation in most guideline formulas, since overnight counts or time percentages feed directly into the obligation, which means custody litigation frequently carries financial consequences the parties do not initially connect. Relocation standards also depend on the designation, with primary custodians facing different burdens than joint custodians. Terminology varies enough that interstate comparison requires examining the substance.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
How does designation affect support?
Why does terminology matter?
