By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Heather Biddle, Esq. | Last reviewed December 14, 2022
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If you're going through a divorce and have children in common, you've probably heard the terms "joint custody" and "sole custody." These phrases, however, are frequently misunderstood. In the U.S, child custody can be "joint" (shared) or "sole" (awarded to just one parent). All custody decisions are made by the court and are in the best interests of the child.
This article provides an overview of sole custody and explains how it can apply in the context of a child custody dispute.
A parent with sole physical and legal custody has exclusive rights concerning the child. These custody arrangements are rare and are usually limited to situations in which one parent has been deemed unfit or incapable of having any form of responsibility over a child -- for example, due to drug addiction or evidence of child abuse.
In these sole custody situations, the child's other parent (also known as the "non-custodial" parent) has neither physical nor legal custody rights but may be entitled to periods of visitation with the child (though those visits may be supervised, especially in situations involving domestic violence or child abuse).
Even if you have sole custody, there are important distinctions between legal custody and physical custody -- explained below -- as you could have sole physical custody of a child, but joint legal custody which you share with the other parent.
The benefit of sole physical and legal custody is that the child lives with you and you don't need to consult with the other parent to make important decisions about the child's life, such as educational, medical, and religious choices. Being granted sole custody does not impact the other parent's right to visitation.
Having sole custody doesn't necessarily mean that you may relocate without the court's permission. If the other parent has any visitation rights and relocation jeopardizes their rights, relocation is therefore an issue that has to be addressed by the court.
Example: Mother and Father have divorced due to Father's substance abuse and addiction. Mother seeks and is granted sole legal and physical custody of Child. This means that Mother alone has the legal authority to decide key issues related to Child's upbringing, and Child will live exclusively with Mother. Father may be entitled to visitation with Child.
If you're confronting a child custody matter, it's important to consider meeting with a family law attorney for advice. A lawyer can assist you in obtaining the right custody arrangement for you and your child, whether it's sole custody or some other arrangement. Child custody laws vary widely by state, and your attorney can help explain your state's laws to you.
Get help by contacting a local child custody attorney today.
Contact a qualified child custody attorney to make sure your rights are protected.
Get tailored advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.