Establishing Sole Custody
Rhode Island Child Custody Lawyer
Sole custody is the custodial arrangement by which only one parent is granted legal and / or physical custody of a child. Generally speaking, the court will award joint custody over sole custody, as they always prefer to keep both parents present in a child’s life if possible. However, sole custody will be awarded to one parent if the other is deemed “unfit” in any way, i.e. parent suffers from a drug addiction or has displayed signs of abuse or neglect.
If you have questions about your custodial rights as a parent, do not hesitate to contact our Rhod Island family law attorneys.
Sole Legal Custody vs. Sole Physical Custody
When one parent is granted sole custody of a child, the other parent (aka the “noncustodial parent”) may be permitted visitation rights, if the situation allows for it.
Sole custodial parents will be responsible for both the legal and physical well-being of the child, and they do not need to consult with the noncustodial parent before making any decisions regarding these matters.
Sole Legal Custody
A parent who is awarded sole legal custody will be responsible for all major life decisions concerning the child. Among the responsibilities of the sole legal custodial parent are matters involving the child’s:
- Education
- Medical care
- Religious upbringing
Sole Physical Custody
A parent who is awarded sole physical custody will be responsible for the child’s day-to-day care. The physical custodial parent is who the child will live with and who will be responsible for his or her daily supervision.
Need Help with a Sole Custody Agreement? Call TJC • ESQ for Help.
At TJC • ESQ, our Rhode Island child custody lawyers have been representing parents and families for over 30 years. We work as a team to handle complex family law cases such as those involving matters of sole custody. If you have questions or concerns about your parental rights, do not hesitate to contact a member of our team for help. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss your options at this time.
TJC • ESQ is now a part of Burns & Levinson, one of the largest and most respected family law firms in the nation. Learn more.