Generally, there are five types of custody: physical custody, legal custody, sole custody, joint custody, and bird's nest custody. Physical Custody If you have physical custody over your child, you have the right to have your child physically live with you. In some states, joint physical custody of a child is allowed. A number of parents opt to have a lawyer to represent them during the court hearing. On the other hand, others opt to represent themselves. If you are well-versed about the laws in your state involving custody of a child, then you may choose not to hire a lawyer. On the contrary, you need a lawyer if you are not familiar with the state laws governing your case. But, if you have caused harm to your child or to your ex-spouse, chances are you will lose your custody rights permanently. This may be reversed if the courts rule otherwise. Concerned that the mother s cigarette smoking might affect your child s health? Thanks to the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, fathers can now prove the bad effects of the mother s unhealthy habit on your child. But since this is inevitable when separation or divorce happens, parents could not do anything but to prepare themselves for the battle head on. For parents who are about to face a child custody case, the best way to go about it is to prepare. This process may entail gathering as many pieces of information on child custody but also dealing with certain financial aspects such as budgeting for the fees needed in legal procedures administered by lawyers. Joint custody A joint custody order has two parts joint legal custody and joint physical custody. Joint legal custody means both parents will share in major decisions regarding the child. The custody order spells out the issues where the parents must share decisions. The time the child spends with each parent is referred in the joint physical custody. Basically, filing for child custody requires filling out so many forms that the local family court can provide you. Once you get hold of these forms, you can ask the court personnel to assist you in filing them. Next, you need to get in touch with a lawyer whose expertise is on Family Law so you will have an idea about the entire process and you can also get basic information on costs as well as possible results.