[mama74]

I've currently getting a divorce. I'm asking for soul custody of our 2 year old. He is a dead beat dad. He has lost custody of his other children by his previous ex. My question is if I get soul custody can I also get child support? Maybe not the full amount as if we joint custody... but a ruduced amount.

[ScottGem]

First, it is not up to you to ask for "soul" custody. That would be the province of the child's clergyperson.

Custody comes in two types, Legal and Physical. You definitely want to ask for SOLE legal custody. This means the father has no say in how the child is raised. You can also ask for SOLE physical custody, which means you control if or when he can see the child.

However, the odds are that you will be granted neither. Generally parents are given joint legal custody with one parent having primary physical custody and the other having visitation rights. In either case, if he gets joint physical custody, that could reduce his support obligation. The less time he is given with the child, the more his support obligation will be.

If he has a history where he has lost custody of previous children (did you know this before having a baby with him?) then there may be grounds for limiting his custody in your case.

[mama74]

First, it is not up to you to ask for "soul" custody. That would be the province of the child's clergyperson.

Custody comes in two types, Legal and Physical. You definitely want to ask for SOLE legal custody. This means the father has no say in how the child is raised. You can also ask for SOLE physical custody, which means you control if or when he can see the child.

However, the odds are that you will be granted neither. Generally parents are given joint legal custody with one parent having primary physical custody and the other having visitation rights. In either case, if he gets joint physical custody, that could reduce his support obligation. The less time he is given with the child, the more his support obligation will be.

If he has a history where he has lost custody of previous children (did you know this before having a baby with him?) then there may be grounds for limiting his custody in your case.

He didn't loose custody until after we were married and I was 5 months pregnant. He hides everything and I had to find the paper work to find out.
What if he willingly signs over custody will the judge grant custody to me?

[ScottGem]

What if he willingly signs over custody will the judge grant custody to me?

If, in the divorce, he agrees to giving you sole custody, then the court will likely go along. But he will be able to come back later and ask for a change. Whether the court grants it or not will depend on the current circumstances.

[Fr_Chuck]

Actually it is in joint custody that you get less support, in full or sole custody you get the most child support, of course he can still get visits, sole custody does not stop him from getting visits.

[mama74]

Actually it is in joint custody that you get less support, in full or sole custody you get the most child support, of course he can still get visits, sole custody does not stop him from getting visits.

I thought soul custody means I don't have to give visitation unless I agree to it...

[ScottGem]

I thought soul custody means I don't have to give visitation unless I agree to it...

Again its SOLE custody, not soul.

And no it doesn't mean that. You can be awarded sole custody but still have scheduled visitation.

[GV70]

I thought soul custody means I don't have to give visitation unless I agree to it...

Nope! Soul custody is the name of a Rock and Soul band.
Soul Custody : Official Website

[mama74]

Nope! Soul custody is the name of a Rock and Soul band.
Soul Custody : Official Website

Nothing personal... but I couldn't give a about you stuipd band.

[ScottGem]

Nothing personal...but I couldn't give a about you stuipd band.

If you are going to ask a question about something, you should learn how to spell it. I made it clear in my first response that the word is SOLE, not SOUL. Yet you repeated the mistake in a later post. Yes, we have had a little fun at your expense in correcting the mistake. I'm sorry if you were offended. But you need to lighten up.

[mama74]

If you are going to ask a question about something, you should learn how to spell it. I made it clear in my first response that the word is SOLE, not SOUL. Yet you repeated the mistake in a later post. Yes, we have had a little fun at your expense in correcting the mistake. I'm sorry if you were offended. But you need to lighten up.

I've read at least 10 different people questions about SOLE custody issues in here and they also spelled it incorrectly... did you make fun of them to?

[ScottGem]

I've read at least 10 different people questions about SOLE custody issues in here and they also spelled it incorrectly...did you make fun of them to?

I don't recall, I believe I did on some of them. I know this isn't the first time that I have poked a little fun at an amusing misspelling or incorrect usage of a word. I expect all of them were corrected though.

I will also point out that you have gotten good answers to your question.

[mama74]

I don't recall, I believe I did on some of them. I know this isn't the first time that I have poked a little fun at an amusing misspelling or incorrect usage of a word. I expect all of them were corrected
though.

I will also point out that you have gotten good answers to your question.

Yes I did get good answers and I thank you for that.

[ScottGem]

I'll also mention that I have poked fun at myself as well when I make an amusing typo or faux pas. We need to be able to laugh at ourselves sometimes.

[GV70]

I'll also mention that I have poked fun at myself as well when I make an amusing typo or faux pas. We need to be able to laugh at ourselves sometimes.

Agreed!