What is the difference between physical and sole custody?

Answer 1

ANSWER:

Physical custody refers to who the child lives with, the child's main care giver. Legal custody determines who can make decisions concerning the child. There are many variations.

Examples:

One parent can have sole physical custody with both parents sharing legal custody.

One parent can have sole physical and legal custody while the other parent has visitation rights.

Answer 2

Joint legal custody means that both parents have say in a variety of decisions concerning the child, from medical care to schooling. Joint physical custody means that each has certain rights to physically have the child present with them.

As with all legal questions, you should consult with a local attorney for more definitive answers. Many of them will answer a question for free, or even provide a half hours free consultation. Others will charge a minimal fee for their time, which in matters of law is usually worth it.

Answer 3

Physical custody means that a parent has the right to have a child live with him or her. Some states will award joint physical custody to both parents when the child spends significant amounts of time with both parents. Joint physical custody works best if parents live relatively near to each other, as it lessens the stress on children and allows them to maintain a somewhat normal routine. Where the child lives primarily with one parent and has visitation with the other, generally the parent with whom the child primarily lives will have sole physical custody, with visitation to the other parent. Legal custody of a child means having the right and the obligation to make decisions about a child's upbringing. A parent with legal custody can make decisions about schooling, religion, and medical care, for example. In many states, courts regularly award joint legal custody, which means that the decision making is shared by both parents.

Answer 4

Those terms mean the same thing: that the child resides with one parent. See related question link.

Those terms mean the same thing: that the child resides with one parent. See related question link.

Those terms mean the same thing: that the child resides with one parent. See related question link.

Those terms mean the same thing: that the child resides with one parent. See related question link.

Answer 5

Sole custody means that one parent has legal custody. Absolute custody isn't a commonly used term but it would mean that someone has permanent legal custody. It could refer to more than one person. For example, someone might say (informally) that grandparents have absolute custody if they have been awarded permanent legal guardianship by a court of law.

Answer 6

Those terms mean the same thing: that the child resides with one parent. See related question link.