Can You Have Sole Legal Custody of Child If They Live with the Other Parent Majority of the Time?
So, can you have sole legal custody over your child even though the child lives with the mother most of the time?
Hi, I’m Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings. I practice here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I focus on fathers’ rights, and this is my 25th year in practice.
Yes, You Can Have Sole Legal Custody
Yes, you can have sole legal custody of your child even if the child primarily lives with the mother. I’ve seen this happen in cases where the father lives out of state while the mother has physical custody in Oklahoma for most of the year. Legal custody is about making the major decisions for your child, not about being present day-to-day.
For example, you could have the authority to decide where your child goes to school—whether public or private. The school district, of course, depends on where the mother lives, but the ultimate decision could still be yours. The same goes for medical, dental, or psychological care. You may decide what type of therapy or treatment the child receives, while the mother handles the routine tasks like scheduling appointments and day-to-day needs.
What Sole Legal Custody Means
One important point: sole legal custody doesn’t mean you ignore the other parent. You still have a duty to consult and confer with them. The difference is, if you can’t agree, you get the final say.
If you need help with this or any other family law matter, give Tulsa men’s child custody attorney Clint Hastings a call at 918-962-0900 and we’d be glad to help.
