Sole custody can come in two parts. Like joint custody, it can refer to legal or physical custody. Sole legal custody gives one parent the authority to make all important decisions for the child. Sole physical custody is when the child has only one primary residence, and one parent is primarily responsible for caring for their daily needs. In most situations where a parent is given sole custody, the other has visitation rights (which often include overnights) unless it is determined not in the best interests of the child to do so.