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What is Sole Custody?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Sole custody is an arrangement in which one parent is granted full and legal custody of a child. This is in contrast to joint custody, where both parents retain full parental rights to the child, with one parent granted physical custody and the other granted visitation rights. The parent with sole custody is identified as the custodial parent, while the parent who has waived his or her parental rights is identified as the non-custodial parent. These terms are mainly used to identify which parent is granted physical custody of the child, but may also be used to differentiate between parents with sole custody and parents who do not have any custody rights or privileges. With sole custody, the non-custodial parent may or may not be granted visitation rights, depending on what the court of jurisdiction believes is in the best interests of the child.

While many people view the granting of sole custody as being a situation in which one parent is deemed to be a danger or is otherwise unfit to be actively involved in the rearing of the child, that is not always the case. Divorcing couples may choose to request this type of custody if the non-custodial parent will be living far away from the custodial parent and the child. Should the non-custodial parent have a debilitating illness and is not physically or mentally able to make responsible decisions regarding the nurture and care of the child, the two parents may determine that it is in the best interests of the child for one parent to have sole authority, thus simplifying the process of making sure the child is cared for properly.

A parent is granted full and legal custody of a child under a sole custody arrangement.
A parent is granted full and legal custody of a child under a sole custody arrangement.

The granting of sole custody does not necessarily mean that the non-custodial parent will not be involved in the financial support for the child, or that he or she will not have some type of ongoing interaction with the child. In situations where the non-custodial parent has a demonstrated history of physical or mental abuse, the courts may restrict visitation to situations where an officer of the court is present during the visit, or disallow visitation altogether. While visitation may be restricted or not allowed at all, the non-custodial parent is still likely to be ordered to pay child support.

Parents with sole custody may have to juggle work and family obligations.
Parents with sole custody may have to juggle work and family obligations.

In situations where there are no barriers to visitation, and the relationship between the two parents is civil, the non-custodial parent may obtain a temporary power of attorney that allows him or her to take actions on behalf of the child during a prolonged period of visitation. For example, a legal document of this type would allow the non-custodial parent to authorize emergency medical care for the child, rather than waiting for the parent with sole custody to be contacted for his or her consent. Non-custodial parents who do not have joint custody would do well to obtain this type of document whenever the child is spending an extended amount of time away from the parent with sole custody, and is in the care of the non-custodial parent.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon961253

Question: In Wisconsin, USA, can a non-custodial parent with visitation take their child to other cities in the state?

anon300870

What if one parent has residential custody, and the other has sole? Then what?

anon195868

what happens if you're going for sole custody but you're still seeing the baby's daddy and she's going over there?

subway11

@Mutsy -There is also another company called Fathers Rights Inc.

They offer a lifetime legal service plan that offers unlimited phone conferences. They provide child support estimates and a book regarding father’s rights.

This is available for $299. They also provide email correspondence in addition to the telephone calls.

They guarantee a follow up phone call the same day that you leave a message.

They also offer self representation information and direct you on where you can get the legal documents that you need.

The $300 really sounds like a bargain when you think about how complicated custody cases can be.

You can see testimonials on the website so that you can see how other father’s have been helped with the service.

mutsy

Parental custody is usually offered to the mother. In 70% of the cases the mother receives custody of the children while the father gets custody only 10% of the time.

The disparity is even greater when the children are under five years of age. Fathers have started to gain momentum in this area and there are organizations like Fathers Custody Center which is a nonprofit that helps father gain custody of their children.

They offer referrals to family lawyers as well as a hotline that is opened seven days a week in order to answer any questions.

In addition, they provide information for fathers that choose to represent themselves in court and not use an attorney.

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    • A parent is granted full and legal custody of a child under a sole custody arrangement.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      A parent is granted full and legal custody of a child under a sole custody arrangement.
    • Parents with sole custody may have to juggle work and family obligations.
      By: Monkey Business
      Parents with sole custody may have to juggle work and family obligations.
    • Child custody for fathers includes the option to be the sole custodial parent.
      By: Pictures news
      Child custody for fathers includes the option to be the sole custodial parent.
    • The granting of sole custody does not mean that the non-custodial parent will not have an ongoing interaction with the child.
      By: TAGSTOCK2
      The granting of sole custody does not mean that the non-custodial parent will not have an ongoing interaction with the child.
    • A parent may be granted sole custody if the other parent is believed unfit to provide a safe home.
      By: soupstock
      A parent may be granted sole custody if the other parent is believed unfit to provide a safe home.
    • A parent with sole custody has the right to determine where the child lives and goes to school.
      By: ftlaudgirl
      A parent with sole custody has the right to determine where the child lives and goes to school.
    • Sole custody may be granted to a parent if the other parent is unable to provide proper clothing.
      By: Halfpoint
      Sole custody may be granted to a parent if the other parent is unable to provide proper clothing.
    • A parent may be granted sole custody of his or her child if the other parent is deemed to be mentally unstable.
      By: Monkey Business
      A parent may be granted sole custody of his or her child if the other parent is deemed to be mentally unstable.