Title 19, Chapter 9, Section 6
( 19-9-6)
As used in this article, the term: (1) "Joint custody" means joint legal custody, joint physical
custody, or both joint legal custody and joint physical custody.
In making an order for joint custody, the court may order joint
legal custody without ordering joint physical custody. (2) "Joint legal custody" means both parents have equal rights and
responsibilities for major decisions concerning the child,
including the child's education, health care, and religious
training; provided, however, that the court may designate one
parent to have sole power to make certain decisions while both
parents retain equal rights and responsibilities for other
decisions. (3) "Joint physical custody" means that physical custody is shared
by the parents in such a way as to assure the child of
substantially equal time and contact with both parents. (4) "Sole custody" means a person, including, but not limited to,
a parent, has been awarded permanent custody of a child by a court
order. Unless otherwise provided by court order, the person
awarded sole custody of a child shall have the rights and
responsibilities for major decisions concerning the child,
including the child's education, health care, and religious
training, and the noncustodial parent shall have the right to
visitation. A person who has not been awarded custody of a child
by court order shall not be considered as the sole legal custodian
while exercising visitation rights. |