Types of Child Custody

Types of Child Custody in Georgia

There are two types of child custody in Georgia: physical (time) and legal custody (say so).

Physical Custody deals with determining where the child will reside.
Legal Custody addresses which parent will have final decision making on various matters related to a child's upbringing.

Physical Custody

There are Four Types of Physical Custody Arrangements

Joint Custody

The parents split time with their child(ren) roughly equally

Joint Custody

Primary Custody

One parent has the majority of parenting time with their child(ren)

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Sole or "Full" Custody

One parent has nearly all of the time with their child. This arrangement is sometimes referred to as full custody.

Sole Custody

Split Custody

One child spends the majority of time with one parent and the other child spends the majority of time with the other parent.

Split Custody

Additional Resources

How is child custody determined? Sample parenting time schedules

Legal Custody

Courts typically award both parents joint legal decision making for their children. That said, Georgia law requires a court to designate one party as the final decision maker for each of the major life decisions concerning the child.

Health Care

Health and non-emergency medical care

The parent that has the final decision-making authority for health care decisions can determine a child's medical treatment. Sample decisions include counseling, ADHD treatments, and the use of medicine.

Medical

Education

The parent that has the final decision-making authority for education can determine a items such as private or home school, course of study, and enrollment in advanced classes.

Education

Extracurricular Activities

The parent that has the final decision-making authority for extracurricular activities can determine whether and how much a child will participate in a particular sport or activity.

Extracurricular Activities