What is the difference between a sole and joint custody arrangement?

A sole custody arrangement means that one parent has primary physical and legal custody of a child. This means that the parent with sole custody will have a say in all major decisions regarding the child such as medical care, schooling, and religion. The other parent usually has visitation rights, but no parental decision-making rights. A joint custody arrangement is when two parents share legal and physical custody of a child. This means that both parents have an equal say in decisions made regarding the child’s care, such as medical care and schooling. Both parents may also have visitation rights and responsibilities such as pick-ups or drop-offs. In California, joint custody is the preferred arrangement as it is seen as being in the best interest of the child. However, in some cases, the court may find that a sole custody arrangement is more appropriate. In either case, it is the responsibility of parents to work together to ensure the best interest of the child. If a parent does not comply, the court may impose penalties for noncompliance.

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What is the difference between a sole and joint custody arrangement?

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