What happens when divorced parents have joint physical custody and live in different school districts?
States’ laws differ on this question. Some jurisdictions allow the custody agreement reached by the parents and approved by the court to determine which district the child will attend. Others assign the district based on how the child’s time in residence is divided through the year. It is important for parents to be aware of the law in their state and not rely just on the opinion of the school district’s registration clerk or on hiding the child’s true living situation. Failure to abide by the state law could cause the school district to force a child to change school mid-year. The disruption can be difficult for any child, but it can provide extra challenges for a child in special education.
Related Questions
- If a divorced couple has joint custody of a child, and if they both live in different townships, can the child attend school in either school district?
- What happens when divorced parents have joint physical custody and live in different school districts?
- Where will children actually live if shared physical custody is required?
