For parents who are going through the divorce process for the first time, many of the concepts and terms used may seem confusing and contradictory. Before you undertake the process of petitioning for custody of your child, be sure to brush up on the procedures, requirements, and documents that are necessary to complete the process in your jurisdiction. One of the most commonly cited errors that parents make is confusing the concepts of legal custody and physical custody. The right to play a role in making key decisions about your child is termed legal custody; physical custody is the right to have the child live in your residence for a predetermined period of time, whether that may be every other week or all year round. While many divorced parents receive a decree of joint legal custody, fewer opt for a joint physical custody agreement that involves a fifty-fifty split of the child