What is the difference between shared parenting and sole custody?
Some times, not much! If one party has custody over the child, it really only boils down to decision-making ability. Does the child attend private school or public school? Does the child receive surgery? Does the child go to a catholic church, a Jewish temple, or not go to church at all. These are the questions the sole residential parent would answer. Custody does NOT stop visitation. Visitation is required. How much visitation is a question for the parties or the court. It could be “standard”, it could be extensive, or it could be as the parties agree. Shared parenting only deals with the decision making ability for the child. Visitation or Parenting time can be determined by the parties, or the court. Shared parenting is a “warmer, fuzzier” approach to parenting. It allows both parents to jointly parent the child(ren). In most instances the Court assumes that shared parenting is the route that should be taken. In shared parenting, one parent must be named the residential parent for
