What is the difference between joint and sole legal custody?

Joint legal custody and sole legal custody are two different types of child custody arrangements in California. Joint legal custody allows both parents to have a say in important decisions about the child’s health, education, and welfare. When parents have joint legal custody, they both have the right to make decisions about the child’s life. In contrast, sole legal custody gives one parent the authority to make legal decisions, while the other parent has no say in the matter. In California, courts typically prefer to award joint legal custody, as they find it to be in the best interests of the child. The primary difference between joint and sole legal custody is that joint legal custody allows both parents to make decisions, while sole legal custody gives that authority to only one parent. In joint legal custody arrangements, the parents may agree to disagree on certain issues, and are expected to communicate and compromise with each other in order to reach an agreement. In sole legal custody arrangements, however, the custodial parent has the ultimate authority to make decisions. When making a decision between joint and sole custody, California courts will consider the parents’ ability to cooperate and share decision-making responsibility, as well as the best interests of the child. Ultimately, the court will decide which arrangement is in the best interests of the child.

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What is the difference between joint and sole legal custody?

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