A West Virginia Custody Agreement is a legally binding agreement that outlines the terms and conditions regarding the custody of a child or children in the state of West Virginia. This agreement is typically created by parents who are going through a divorce or separation and need to establish a structured arrangement for the care and upbringing of their children. The primary purpose of a West Virginia Custody Agreement is to ensure the best interests of the child or children involved. It covers various aspects of child custody, including physical custody (where the child will reside) and legal custody (decision-making authority). The agreement aims to establish a stable and predictable routine for the child's upbringing, providing both parents with clear responsibilities and rights. There are different types of West Virginia Custody Agreements that parents can consider based on their circumstances and preferences. Some of these include: 1. Joint Physical Custody: This type of agreement allows both parents to have significant periods of physical custody with their child. It involves the child spending equal or nearly equal amounts of time with each parent. 2. Sole Physical Custody: In this arrangement, one parent is granted primary physical custody, and the child primarily resides with them. The other parent may be granted visitation rights or scheduled parenting time. 3. Split Custody: This occurs when there are multiple children, and each parent is granted physical custody of at least one child. Split custody arrangements aim to maintain close relationships between siblings while accounting for each parent's ability to care for specific children. 4. Bird's Nest Custody: This arrangement involves the child remaining in the family home, while the parents take turns living there according to a predetermined schedule. It allows the child to have a stable living environment while the parents alternate residing in a separate location. Regardless of the type of custody agreement chosen, it is crucial to consider other essential factors, such as visitation rights, holiday and vacation schedules, communication methods between parents, decision-making authority for education, healthcare, and religious matters, and how disputes will be resolved. Overall, a West Virginia Custody Agreement is a comprehensive legal document that aims to establish clear guidelines and foster healthy co-parenting relationships for the benefit of the child or children involved.