Sole custody means that one spouse has residential custody of the child as well as the right to without any consultation to make all of the day-to-day and major decision for the child. The custodial parent as the right to make decisions on the child's health, education and welfare. The other party is only entitled to visitation.

In New Jersey it is the public policy that both parents shall share the rights and responsibilities of child rearing. See, N.J.S.A. 9:2-4. Therefore, most courts always encourage the parties to agree to a joint custody arrangement.

In the case of ,Beck v. Beck, 86 N.J. 480 (1981), the court stated that:

I am their primary caretaker. What special legal rights do I have with regard to the children by being the primary caretaker?

It is important to emphasize that a primary caretaker has many special rights with regard to the children even if a joint custodial arrangement is agreed to.