News
Michael Smith featured in national co-parenting article about joint legal custody
Family law attorney Michael Smith was recently featured in an article from OurFamilyWizard, a national co-parenting resource. In the article, Michael explains that joint legal custody is really about shared decision-making, not where a child lives, and why it often goes hand in hand with joint physical custody, but doesn’t have to.
Michael keeps it simple: joint legal custody works best when parents stay child-first and talk to each other. Agreeing on the big stuff– school, doctors, activities – gives kids a sense of consistency. When the conversation gets stuck, a clear plan (and a paper trail) keeps things moving.
Michael also points out that every family’s situation is different, and what works in one home might not in another. That’s why he encourages parents to talk through how they’ll handle big decisions before problems arise – and to put those understandings in writing so everyone stays on the same page.
“When parents keep the focus on their child and communicate clearly, joint decision-making can bring stability,” Michael notes. “When communication breaks down, the process can stall—and kids feel that most.”
Read the full article: https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/blog/joint-legal-custody
