Custody refers to the care, control, and possession of a minor child. Custody may be more specifically defined as legal or physical custody.
Joint custody may refer to ‘joint legal custody,’ where both parents have the right to make decisions on behalf of their child. Joint physical custody refers to both parents sharing and spending 50/50 percent of parenting time with the child.
Legal custody refers to the right and responsibility to make major decisions regarding a minor child’s education, religious upbringing, non-emergency medical needs and extra curricular activities.
Sole custody refers to a parent who has been awarded permanent custody of a child and has the exclusive rights and responsibilities regarding physical possession of the child. A sole custodian also has the exclusive responsibility to make major decisions regarding a minor child’s education, religious upbringing, non-emergency medical needs and extra curricular activities.
A court cannot limit how far one parent can move from the other, although the court will require notice be given to the other party prior to moving. If you share joint physical custody and move unreasonably far from the other joint physical custodian, this may be grounds to modify your custody agreement.
Ways to win full custody:
- Establish that it is in the best interest of the child to reside with you primarily
- Have a flexible and available work schedule
- Maintain a stable home environment with adequate space for the child
- Have familial support located in your area to assist with the child
- Exhibit that you possess the ability to facilitate and foster a healthy relationship between the child and the non custodial parent
