Can someone please explain to what extent does this statement actually mean exactly in the eyes of the law.
In exercising joint legal custody, the parties shall both share in the right and the responsibility to make decisions relating to the health, education and overall general welfare of the children. This shall include, and not be limited to all decisions on medical, dental, orthodontia, counseling, educational decisions including the choice of schools, religious decisions and any and all extra curricular activities.
Does this mean, I could make the decisions I need to but he has the right to an opinion? Does this mean I can not make any decisions without consulting him? Does this mean we have to agree before any decisions can be made at all? Does this mean I can make decisions on the "little" things but must only notify him? I realize consultation and permission of major decisions i.e. surgery, choice of schools would be implicit.
It is so sticky! For example: if I wanted to put our 3 year old in a dance class that would only be during my parenting times and does not interfere with his parenting time at all do I have to:
- enroll her and only notify him?
- enroll her and not notify him at all?
- consult with him and we have to agree on it before I can even enroll her?
I would appreciate any ideas from a legal (not personal, unless you have been given specific information from a lawyer) perspective? Thanks!
p.s. Not that this should make any difference but I am in California.