What is the difference between sole custody and joint custody?

The main difference between sole custody and joint custody is the amount of decision-making power each parent has. In a sole custody arrangement, one parent is typically given full decision-making authority over the child. In joint custody, both parents share decision-making rights and responsibilities and must come to an agreement on any decisions regarding the child. In sole custody, the parent with legal custody is typically responsible for making all major decisions regarding the child, such as education, health care, and religious upbringing. This parent usually has final say in disputes that may arise between parents and the child. The parent may also have exclusive physical custody of the child, meaning the child lives primarily with that parent, or joint physical custody, meaning the child spends an equal amount of time between each parent’s households. In a joint custody arrangement, both parents are given legal and physical custody of the child, meaning each parent will have a say in major decisions and both will share the physical care and responsibility of the child. This means that both parents must work together to come to an agreement on how to handle decisions regarding the child. Some states allow for joint custody even if one parent has more parenting time. Overall, the differences between sole custody and joint custody depend on the specifics of each arrangement. In all cases, the child’s best interests should be the primary focus when determining which type of custody arrangement is right for the family.

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What is the difference between sole custody and joint custody?

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