Well, joint legal custody may have some benefits over the sole legal custody. It is quite likely that this arrangement will be encouraging the children to remain involved with both the parents, and hopefully it might build a healthy relationship with each parent. Joint legal custody ,in a way, may reduce the shock and pain of separation that children may be suffering from and after divorce.
Joint physical custody, while not the same, still it is at least an attempt to safeguard the intact nuclear family that was present earlier just before the divorce.
it is also to be noted that joint legal custody allows the non-custodial parent to have a contribution on important decisions regarding the children. The goal, is thus set for a custodial parent so as to have a better relationship with the non-custodial parent which will allow each of them to depend on one another as the children grow up.

Well thats a really good solution provided that both the parties agree that their divorce can lead to having ill effects on their kids .
Most parents going in for divorce realise this .
So this is always a better solution .

Well I think seeking info on such topic from common people like me will not do anything good for you...so I will suggest you to consult any Lawyer or any advisory section there for getting some good and practical information over the subject.
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Ketu

I think in all cases being civil bewteen each other would work and the father should see the children moer often then every other weekend. You guys cant make children the victims between your arguements and hatred towards oen another...

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"Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder"

Hi Winnie, I have joint custody of my 6 year old daughter and from my experience it is better because of the turmoil and stress a legal battle can be. I slso felt it important that Ria has considerable access to her father which has been so much easier on her. I need his support and he needs mine and we are both united on her upbringing. One of you will always be the MAIN carer and if we had any problems, then I could step in to take control until a court would sort it out. Luckily I have not had to do that. I have ria for 4 nights a week and her dad has her for 3. I am always there to collect her from school so I am classed as the main carer even though we have joint custody. It also shows you children that they can still feel secure that you both co-operate for their welfare and in years to come this will keep them more content. I hope this helps.

Joint Custody can work in a some situations. It really depends on the parties. Another issue arises when you get involved in another relationship. I personally never would have agreed to Joint Custody. I knew a woman who had this. Her ex was an attorney and she warned me about Joint Custody when I was going through my divorce. If she didn't tell her ex everytime the child's teacher told her something or a paper came home from school, she was violating the Decree. Eventually, what happened is her ex wound up with Sole Custody and my friend's life was Hell. More states and the Courts have modified Joint Custody in the past 10 years. Also depending on where you live some Courts are restricting where you live, if you have Joint Custody, you have to live in the County were the Divorce was and you can not move the children out of the school district without your ex's permission. Guess what happens when you re-marry and your new spouse's employer relocates him?