Parents going through a custody case in Iowa often hear the term “joint custody” and assume it means they’ll have equal time with the kids. But in Iowa law, “joint legal custody” and “physical custody” are two very different things.
Joint legal custody means both parents share the right to make decisions about the child’s education, medical care, religion, and other major issues. It’s very common in Iowa, even in contested custody cases.
Physical custody refers to the child’s living situation as between their parents. If one parent is awarded primary physical custody, the other usually gets visitation (also called parenting time). A true 50/50 physical custody arrangement where the child splits time equally between both parent’s homes is possible, but it’s not the default.
Judges decide custody based on the best interests of the child. They look at things like:
- Each parent’s ability to provide care to the child;
- The child’s relationship with each parent;
- How well the parents communicate and cooperate with one another; and
- How the arrangement will affect the child’s stability and well-being.
If you’re going through a divorce or custody dispute, it’s important to understand the difference between legal custody and physical custody and to advocate for the arrangement that’s best for your child, not just what sounds fair on paper.
