Sole Custody

What is Sole Custody?

Sole Custody is a custody arrangement wherein one parent is given physical and legal custody of a child. Under this scenario, one parent is given the rights and responsibility for all major decisions regarding a child.

Practice Pointer

A common misconception of sole custody is the assumption that the other parent will be completely cut out of a child's life. That is not necessarily the case. Even with an award of sole custody, the other parent can often maintain some level of visitation with their child.

When is Sole Custody Likely to be Awarded?

It is uncommon to see an award of sole custody in Georgia. Georgia's public policy is to ensure that the bond between BOTH parents continues after a divorce. That said, sole custody is more likely to be awarded in extreme cases involving one of the following items:

Safety of a Child

Perhaps the most important thing that will influence a court's decision in a child custody case is when it perceives there is an issue that involves the safety of a child.