50/50 custody is one of the most common child custody arrangements in Louisiana, but many parents are unsure how it works or what it really means under state law. In this arrangement, both parents share equal parenting time, giving children the opportunity to maintain strong relationships with both mom and dad.
Judges will always consider the best interests of the child, not just what each parent wants. Here is what you should know about 50/50 custody in Louisiana.
Types of Child Custody in Louisiana
Louisiana generally divides child custody into two categories: legal custody and physical custody.
Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions about your child, such as where they will go to school, what types of extracurricular activities they will participate in, what kind of medical treatments they will receive, and what religion they will be brought up in.
Physical custody refers to the right to have your child live with you. Under these circumstances, you’re responsible for their day-to-day care.
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Types of Child Custody Arrangements
Legal and physical custody can be joint, shared, split, or sole, which means the following:
Joint custody
With joint custody, both parents share custody rights. They generally have the same rights regarding legal custody. However, they may not have equal physical custody time with the child.
The court considers factors such as the child and parents’ schedules, the locations of the parents’ homes, and other factors. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the court determines a domiciliary parent with whom the child will primarily reside.
Shared custody
Shared custody is 50/50 custody. The parents share legal and physical custody equally. The child spends equal time living with each parent.
Judges in Louisiana favor shared custody when possible because it allows children to maintain strong relationships with both parents. However, the exact schedule can vary depending on the family’s circumstances and the child’s best interests.
Split custody
Split custody provides for different custody arrangements for different children in the family. For example, one child may live with one parent, while another lives with the other parent. For legal custody, one parent may have the right to make decisions about one child, while the other parent has the right to make decisions for another child.
Sole custody
In sole custody arrangements, one parent gets custody, and the other has limited rights. This usually means the custodial parent has both legal and physical custody, while the noncustodial parent may have visitation.
Sole custody is less common in Louisiana because courts typically prefer arrangements that involve both parents. It is usually awarded when one parent is unfit due to issues such as abuse, neglect, or substance abuse.
Louisiana courts encourage joint custody arrangements in which both parents share legal and physical custody. However, the court can order different arrangements if it determines that they are in the child’s best interests.
Factors Courts Consider When Determining Child Custody
If the parents agree on a child custody arrangement, the court will order this arrangement unless it determines the proposed arrangement is not in the child’s best interests or one of the parents has committed domestic violence.
The court considers various factors when determining child custody arrangements, including the following:
- The child’s age and health
- The child’s relationship with each parent
- The willingness of each parent to provide a stable and safe home
- The ability and willingness of each parent to provide for the child’s basic needs, medical care, to give love, affection, and spiritual guidance, and to continue the education and rearing of the child
- The potential for the child to be abused
- How long the child has lived in a stable and adequate environment, and the court’s desire to maintain continuity of that environment
- Each parent’s mental and physical health
- Any history of substance abuse, violence, or criminal activity of either parent
- The child’s reasonable preference, if the child is of sufficient age to express their preference
- Each parent’s moral fitness
- The ability and willingness of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship with the child and the other parent
- The distance between the parents’ houses
- The previous history of childcare responsibilities
A family lawyer can represent you at contested hearings and argue for what you believe is in your child’s best interests.
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Contact the Shreveport Child Custody Lawyer at Knight Law Firm for Help Today
An experienced Shreveport child custody attorney from Knight Law Firm can explain 50/50 child custody arrangements and whether one may be a viable option in your case. If you need help with a custody case, don’t hesitate to get help. Call us for a confidential consultation.
Contact our child custody lawyers at Knight Law Firm for a consultation. We proudly serve Shreveport, Monroe, Ruston, and the surrounding areas of North Louisiana.
Knight Law Firm – Shreveport Office
401 Market Street Suite 1006
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 569-8469
Knight Law Firm – Ruston Office
111 Kilgore Rd
Ruston, LA 71270
(318) 722-8919
Knight Law Firm – Monroe Office
1896 Hudson Cir N #1
Monroe, LA 71201
(318) 323-2213
Call or text 318-323-2213 or complete a Case Evaluation form
