When people get divorced they often have to re-distribute assets and divide all kinds of property, which often leads to additional strain on the relationship. They must also usually address how any children born to their marriage will be handled as well. Most often a couple will seek out joint custody of children, but the terms of such arrangements are often misunderstood. Although the laws in most states recognize joint custody of children, in reality there are two formats to such arrangements - legal and physical. Joint custody of children means that the parents will both have authority in making decisions about the children's lives, including their education, religion, activities, etc. The parents with the joint legal custody of their children will have selected which of the two parents the children live with for a majority of their time, and will also have organized plans for regular visits to the other parent's home. Those opting for joint physical custody will be asking a great deal of their children, who will spend fifty percent of their time with one parent, and fifty percent with the other.