Legal Question in Family Law in Utah

Re: Custody Definitions

Joint legal custody is generally utilized when both parents are present to care for the child. If one party has abandoned the child for more than 6-9 months, the court will often grant custody to the remaining parent, but grant the other parent visitation rights. If a parent takes a child from the other parent, then joint custody would be proper ---- unless there is some reason that one parent or the other is unfit (drug use, dangerous to the child, incompetent, violent etc.)

It is generally in the best interests of the child to have both parents in its life, on as equal a basis as possible. However, there are many reasons to adjust that. You did not provide enough facts to make a determination in your case. You may call for a free consultation.