Louisiana Joint Custody Agreement
Overview of this form
The Joint Custody Agreement is a legal document designed for divorced parents to outline the terms of shared custody of their minor child. This agreement specifies the responsibilities of each parent regarding visitation, education, healthcare, and communication. Unlike custody orders determined by the court, this agreement allows parents to create a cooperative plan without immediate court intervention, although it can be formalized and submitted for court approval to ensure enforceability.
Main sections of this form
- Designates one parent as the domiciliary parent for physical custody.
- Outlines visitation schedules, including weekends and holidays.
- Specifies communication rights between parents and the child.
- Covers transportation responsibilities for the child.
- Addresses possible changes of residence of the parents.
- Includes provisions for education and medical decisions regarding the child.
Situations where this form applies
This form is useful when divorced parents wish to establish a clear set of guidelines for joint custody arrangements of their child. It is appropriate to use this form when there is a mutual understanding between parents on custody and visitation, even if they have not sought formal court intervention. Additionally, it may be employed after divorce proceedings when both parties agree on the arrangement for parenting responsibilities.
Who this form is for
- Divorced parents or guardians of a minor child.
- Parents looking to codify a verbal agreement regarding custody.
- Individuals seeking to establish a clear co-parenting plan.
- Parents who wish to formalize arrangements to facilitate future enforcement.
Instructions for completing this form
- Identify the parties involved by entering the names of both parents.
- Designate the domiciliary parent and provide their current address.
- Specify the visitation schedule, including dates for holidays and weekends.
- Detail communication rights and methods between parents and the child.
- Sign and date the agreement to confirm mutual understanding.
Notarization guidance
Notarization is not commonly needed for this form. However, certain documents or local rules may make it necessary. Our notarization service, powered by Notarize, allows you to finalize it securely online anytime, day or night.
Mistakes to watch out for
- Failing to clearly outline visitation times, which can lead to confusion.
- Not updating contact information, which can hinder communication.
- Ignoring the importance of including provisions for education and medical decisions.
- Neglecting to sign the agreement, which is essential for enforceability.
Benefits of completing this form online
- Convenient access to a professionally drafted template available for download.
- Editability allows parents to customize the agreement to fit their specific needs.
- Reliability, as the form is created by licensed attorneys, ensuring it meets legal standards.
Form popularity
FAQ
Because so much modern child bearing is non-marital, and because mothers of such children are much more likely to have a substantial relationship with their children than are such fathers, mothers of children born out of wedlock are more likely to be awarded custody.
In a joint custody arrangement, both parents are awarded legal custody of their child but not equal physical custody. Essentially, both parents have the rights and responsibilities of joint custodians (responsibility to confer, right to visitation, etc.) but they do not equally share the physical custody of the child.
Parents who don't live together have joint custody (also called shared custody) when they share the decision-making responsibilities for, and/or physical control and custody of, their children. Joint custody can exist if the parents are divorced, separated, or no longer cohabiting, or even if they never lived together.
In Louisiana, both parents must support their child's financial, emotional, and medical needs, even if the couple separates or divorces. This means that both parents remain responsible for expenses involved in raising their child. Generally, however, the parents' custody arrangement will impact a child support award.
There are two kinds of custody: legal and physical. Unmarried mothers will almost always receive primary physical custody of a newborn baby. However, unmarried fathers can and do receive joint legal custody of a newborn baby and visitation rights.
50/50 schedules work best when: The parents live fairly close to each other, so exchanges are easier. The parents are able to communicate with each other about the child without fighting. The child is able to handle switching between parents' homes.
Yes, because the law requires a non-custodial parent (that is, a parent who does not live with the child) pay a minimum amount of child support. That minimum amount is $100.00 a month for any number of children. But if your custody arrangement is shared or split custody, then there is no requirement.
Reasons for Not Gaining Primary Physical Custody Also, if one parent has substance abuse or mental health issues that would prevent the parent from providing proper care for the child, shared physical custody might be denied.
Joint custody can exist if the parents are divorced, separated, or no longer cohabiting, or even if they never lived together. Joint custody may be: joint legal custody. joint physical custody (where the children spend a significant portion of time with each parent), or.