I really should say the father was awarded sole custody. Winning is for games. Child custody cases shouldn’t be games.
Anyway…
A recent Connecticut divorce case highlights the trend that an increasing number of father’s are being awarded sole or, as some say, full custody of their children.
In this case, the judge found that the father consistently met the physical, educational, medical and emotional needs of his 3 and 5 year old children.
The father cited the mother’s chronic medical condition as a factor as to why he should have sole custody. He also argued that the mother failed to make appropriate parenting decisions.
Family Relations performed a Study, which concluded that the father should have sole custody. (A favorable Family Relations Study is a significant advantage since most judges place great weight on the recommendations in these Studies).
Another factor in the judge’s decision appeared to be that the mother failed to complete the Parenting Education course. (Not taking a mandatory parenting course will naturally be held against the non-compliant parent – especially at trial).
The effect of sole custody is that the father will be allowed to make unilateral decisions affecting the children without the approval of the mother. It does not mean that the mother is “cut out” from the children’s lives as some think the term means.
In fact, the judge ordered visitation for the mother on Fridays and Saturdays.