DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY (formerly CUSTODY)

Decision making authority determines which parent has a right to make the decisions about the children’s health, education and religious upbringing.  There are many custodial arrangements.  When parents have joint decision making authority, they are expected to make these decisions together.  When one parent has sole decision making authority, he or she is the only one who makes these decisions.

Decision making authority does not determine who the children live with.  In joint decision making authority arrangements the children can reside with one parent or they can divide their time between the households of both of their parents, equally or unequally.