NORTH CAROLINA Part 30

What is joint custody? What is sole custody?

Joint physical custody means that both parents spent significant time with the children, but the time split doesn’t have to be equal. The parents can define what joint custody means to them. Sole physical custody means that the child lives with one parent for significantly more time than the other.

Joint legal custody means that the parents make decisions together about the child’s welfare, including things like medical care and education. Sole physical custody means that only one parent has the authority to make those decisions, and isn’t require to consult with the other parent before taking actions that affect the child.