When creating a parenting plan during divorce or separation, one of the most important decisions you'll make is who has legal custody of your child(ren). While joint or shared custody works well for many co-parents, sometimes the best choice is sole legal custody.
In this post, we’ll explain what sole legal custody means, when it’s appropriate, and how to include it in your parenting plan using our attorney-drafted legal templates.
What Is Sole Legal Custody?
Sole legal custody means that one parent has the exclusive right to make all major decisions regarding the child(ren)’s health, education, and well-being. The other parent may still have visitation rights or physical custody time, but they do not have legal decision-making authority.
Major decisions under sole custody typically include:
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Medical and dental care
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School choice and academic support
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Religious upbringing
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Psychological or psychiatric treatment
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Travel outside the state or internationally
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Extracurricular activities
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Any decisions that significantly impacts your child(ren)’s well-being
When Is Sole Legal Custody Appropriate?
Sole legal custody may be the right choice in situations where:
- One parent is absent, uninvolved, or unavailable
- There is a high-conflict relationship between parents
- One parent has a history of abuse, neglect, addiction, or domestic violence
- Shared decision-making would put the child(ren)'s safety or stability at risk
Judges typically grant sole legal custody only when it is in the best interest of the child(ren).
Benefits of Sole Legal Custody
Reduces conflict – One parent makes the decisions
Quicker decisions – No waiting for the other parent to agree
Protects stability – Especially in high-risk or unsafe parenting situations
Clarity and consistency – Avoids miscommunication or disputes over important issues
How to Add Sole Legal Custody to Your Parenting Plan
If you’re drafting your own parenting plan or working with a mediator or attorney, using legally accurate language is essential. Our digital templates give you a strong starting point.
Get the Sole Legal Custody Template You Can Trust
Our Child Custody Parenting Plan Template includes a fully customizable Sole Legal Custody provision, covering:
- Exclusive decision-making authority
- Optional communication with the non-custodial parent
- Language that’s ready for use in court or negotiation
Click below to purchase the Child Custody Parenting Plan Template, which includes Joint, Shared, and Sole Legal Custody options.
While sole legal custody isn’t right for every family, it can be the best option when a child needs one consistent decision-maker.
If you’re navigating custody in a complex or high-conflict situation, this legal structure can help protect your child(ren)’s well-being and simplify parenting responsibilities.
Use our trusted parenting plan templates to make your custody arrangement clear and enforceable from the start.
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