Types of Child Custody
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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
Primary Custody
Sole Custody
Split Custody
Sole or "Full" Custody
One parent has nearly all of the time with their child. This arrangement is sometimes referred to as full 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.
Additional Resources
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
Education
Extracurricular Activities
Religion

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.

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.

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.

Religion
The parent that has the final decision-making for religion may determine a child's religious upbringing.
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