What is a characteristic of joint physical custody?

Joint physical custody is characterized by the arrangement in which a child spends significant time with both parents. While it often involves a balanced schedule for the child, it does not mean that the time spent with each parent must be exactly equal or a strict 50-50 split. In practice, joint physical custody can take various forms depending on the specific needs of the family, the child's best interests, and the practicalities of the parents' lives.

For example, one parent may spend more time during weekdays due to work or school commitments while the other parent may have weekends. This flexibility allows parents to structure their custody agreements in a manner that works best for them and their child, focusing on the overall goal of maintaining a meaningful relationship with both parents rather than adhering to a rigid time-sharing schedule. Therefore, it is a common misconception that joint physical custody automatically entails equal time-sharing; it emphasizes the involvement of both parents in a child's life without rigid time constraints.