Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Child custody terms
When it comes to child custody in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia , there are many terms that can get thrown around. Generally, it can be pretty easy to misinterpret what exactly these terms mean. First of all, a term like “custody” has a literal meaning. If you have custody of something, it means that it is physically in your possession. But, some parents would speak about their child as being a “possession” in the way that jewelry or a car might be a possession. Custody, as connected with child custody, is a legal term, that carries with it very specific legal meanings and underpinnings and you should be aware of what a phrase like “full child custody” means.
In Athens-Clarke County, Georgia there are two specific areas that child custody refers to. The first area that child custody refers to is the area of legal obligations and rights. Usually unless there is a compelling reason for a judge to rule otherwise, parents will hold joint legal custody of their children in a divorce. Both parents have the right and obligation to make decisions for the child in vital fields such as education, instruction in religion, and health care. Where parents have shared or joint legal custody, both parents shall have the complete authority to act on the child’s behalf in these areas. When only one parent has complete legal custody, then only that parent has the right to take these decisions. But, it is only in exceptional circumstances, like if one parent has been convicted of child abuse or endangerment, that there may be sole legal custody.
The second area that child custody refers to is physical custody. Having full physical custody of a child indicates that the child lives with you a vast majority of the time. However it does not indicate that the non-custodial parent does not see the child, or that the child cannot stay with the non-custodial parent. It merely means that the child lives with you primarily. The non-custodial parent will still usually retain joint legal custody even if you retain full child custody in the physical area. Besides, the non-custodial parent may still also have specific visitation rights that you must, by law, comply with although if you have full physical child custody.
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