Child custody is a completely new arena for most divorced parents. They aren’t familiar with the proceedings, the expectations, or anything else that goes along with child custody. Because of this, divorced parents should always be looking for information that can help them.

One of the first things a parent has to learn in child custody are the terms and the vocabulary. There are many phrases used in custody that a parent has to know about and comprehend. To help those who are just starting out in custody, here are some of the frequently used words and phrases and their meanings.

1. Parenting plan. This is also called the child custody agreement. This is the agreement that the parents create to establish the plan of their custody arrangement. The agreement has the custody situation agreed on and the custody and visitation schedule which shows when the kids are with each parent. There will also be a holiday schedule and any other provisions the parents want to include. If the parents agree on the custody issues they submit their agreement to the court. If they don’t agree, the court will hear both parents speak and then decide on the agreement.

2. Joint custody. This is also called shared parenting and co parenting. There is joint legal custody and joint physical custody. In this custody arrangement, parents share the responsibility of raising their children. In legal custody, both parents have a say in important decisions about the children. In physical custody, both parents have equal time with the kids. This is different from sole custody where one parent makes the decisions for the children and has custody of them.

3. Filing for child custody. This is the process of submitting your paperwork for your custody case. You fill out the required papers from the courthouse, pay a fee, and then the papers are filed. Filing begins your custody case and lets you bring it before the judge.

4. Custody mediation. Mediation is a tool used by divorced parents so they can meet together and make a custody agreement that they both like. In mediation, the parents sit with a third party who can help them make important decisions about the children and keep the parents focused on the issues on hand.

5. Custody orders and custody court. Custody court is the family court that makes the final decision about your custody case. The judge makes the custody agreement an order. This means the parents are bound by law to follow it. If the parents submit their own agreement the court will adopt it. If the parents don’t agree, they present their cases to the court and the court makes the final decision.

Knowing the common terms and words in custody is a good start for a divorced parent. This is a foundation for figuring out everything that you have to get done. Once you know what everything means you can move on to creating your agreement and getting it through the courts.