Custody

If the court gives you sole legal custody, then you are the only parent who is able to make major decisions for your child.

If the court gives you joint legal custody of your child, it means that you share the right to make major decisions about your child with the other parent. This is true even though only one parent has physical custody (your child lives with only one parent). With joint legal custody, both parents have a say in major issues like where your child goes to school, whether s/he will have surgery and what kind of religious training s/he receives. Joint legal custody usually involves the parents talking with each other and making decisions jointly. Since cases of domestic violence involve control, fear and an imbalance of power, joint custody usually is not a good option.