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Types of Child Custody

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

Primary Custody

Sole Custody

Split Custody

Joint Custody

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

Primary Custody

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

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.

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.

1

Health Care

2

Education

3

Extracurricular Activities

4

Religion

health care decision making for a 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.

educational decision making for a child
Education

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 Decision Making
Extracurricular Activities

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.

religious decision making for a child
Religion

Religion

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

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