Child Custody

questions & answers

Question: My daughters father just recently was just given sole legal decision making. Does this mean he has full custody over the child?

Answer:

Legal decision-making" means the legal right and responsibility to make all nonemergency legal decisions for a child including those regarding education, health care, religious training and personal care decisions. For the purposes of interpreting or applying any international treaty, federal law, a uniform code or the statutes of other jurisdictions of the United States, legal decision-making means legal custody. (A.R.S. § 25-401(3))

"Sole legal decision-making" means one parent has the legal right and responsibility to make major decisions for a child. (A.R.S. § 25-401(6))

While custody or "parenting time" means the schedule of time during which each parent has access to a child at specified times. Each parent during their scheduled parenting time is responsible for providing the child with food, clothing and shelter and may make routine decisions concerning the child's care.
(A.R.S. § 25-401(5))