Sole Custody
A custody arrangement where one parent has exclusive physical and/or legal custody of the children.
Understanding Sole Custody
Sole custody means one parent makes all major decisions for the child (sole legal custody) and/or the child lives exclusively with that parent (sole physical custody). Courts award sole custody when the other parent is deemed unfit due to abuse, addiction, incarceration, or abandonment. The non-custodial parent may still have supervised or unsupervised visitation rights. Sole custody is less common than joint custody in modern family law.
Real-World Examples
Due to his substance abuse history, the court awarded sole custody to the mother.
Related Terms
A custody arrangement where both parents have significant, roughly equal parenting time with the children.
Supervised VisitationCourt-ordered visitation where a parent can only see their child in the presence of an approved third party.
Primary CustodyAn arrangement where the child lives mainly with one parent, who handles most day-to-day decisions.
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This definition is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Divorce laws and terminology may vary by state and jurisdiction.
Always consult a licensed attorney in your area for advice specific to your situation.