Although it is rare, the court, in its discretion, can award joint custody instead of sole custody. There are two types of joint custody:
- Joint legal custody, which means that both parents have equal rights to and responsibilities for major decisions concerning the child.
- Joint legal custody, which means that physical custody is shared by the parents in such a way that the child is assured substantially equal time and contact with both parents.
Typically, the court awards joint legal custody to the primary physical custodian having the tie-breaking authority should the parties disagree on the decision regarding the minor child.
One parent has primary physical custody and the noncustodial parent has the standard visitation of every other weekend, alternating holidays and an extended period in the summer, and pays child support based on the Georgia State Child Support Guidelines.
Depending on what county you are filing for
divorce in, those families who have children are required to attend an educational seminar as part of the adjudication process. This is not a marital counseling session and not intended to get the parties back together. The required education program, entitled "Seminar for Parent of Minor Children," addresses issues specific to "families in transition," which includes parties involved in divorce, separate maintenance, paternity, change of custody, visitation, legitimation, and other domestic relations matters involving children.