I have sole custody of my two kids according to my divorce order, and I control visitation.
Their mother, who had mental health issues for several years, is now back and says she still has parental rights to see the kids and know about their lives. I’m not sure if she actually has these rights. Before I spend money on my lawyer, I want to know if she has any legal basis for this.
The kids are old enough that their wishes matter too.
No, sole custody does not automatically terminate parental rights. Even if one parent has sole custody, the other parent’s rights remain intact. For instance, even if you have sole custody, the other parent may still have visitation rights. These allow her to spend time with the kids, even if she doesn’t have physical custody.
In addition, she has the right to visit the children, consent to their adoption, decide on religious activities, and participate in major decisions about their upbringing.
But you can consult with your lawyer for more guidelines on the upbringing of your kids.
Now you know 