Various states have different rules and guidelines involving custody rights for fathers. Some states require fathers to seek custody of their children while applying for divorce. The courts decide custody rights according to the best interest of the child. The following factors are taken into consideration by the courts: The physical and mental ability of the parents to take care of the child The main caretaker of the child Who makes the decisions involving the child Who helps the child in his or her daily activities Who has better finances to provide for the child s needs As a father trying to get custody of your child, you must be aware of the two custody options available to you: legal custody and physical custody. Temporary custody, which indicates when each parent can take care of the child, prevents one of the parents from running off with the child or denying the other parent access to the child. It also ensures stability between the parents during the divorce process. Both parents are authorized to decide alone on behalf of the children if no custody order was given when they separated. Kids who went through the painful process of child custody cases are usually the ones who start withdrawing from the outside world. They tend to withdraw from everybody else parents, friends, and classmates and would prefer to be on their own since they are afraid that people will ask him or her on the details of the child custody case which he or she no longer wishes to be reminded of. The major reason why kids don t understand child custody is because adults underestimate their skills to comprehend complex family issues. If you are on an on going process of child custody or are planning to get started on it, ask your child to a serious conversation. Once a child feels that what you are about to discuss is no laughing matter, then he or she would lend a listening ear and an open heart. Manage your schedule so that you won t have a hard time adjusting when your ex-spouse wants to switch weekdays or weekends to spend with your children. Now, if the court asks you why you deserve the custody of your children, you can confidently tell the judge that as a parent, you always make sure that your schedule works. If a parent has sole legal custody , that parent has the right to make decisions on the child s health, education, and overall welfare (doctor, schools, etc). In joint legal custody both parents share the decisions. How is a decision made? The judge usually approves a custody plan agreed on by the parents.