Louisiana Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

In the situation where one parent has sole custody, what is required to track the child?

1. Consent from both parents

2. No consent needed

3. Written notification to the other parent

4. Permission from the court

The correct answer is: No consent needed

In a situation where one parent has sole custody, that parent typically has the legal authority to make decisions regarding the child's welfare without needing consent from the other parent. This includes the ability to track the child. The principle of sole custody means that the custodial parent has exclusive rights and responsibilities pertaining to the child, including making unilateral decisions about their safety and monitoring their whereabouts. While cooperation and communication with the non-custodial parent may be advisable for fostering a healthy relationship, it is not a legal requirement when it comes to actions taken by the custodial parent, such as tracking the child. This emphasizes the autonomy granted to the sole custodial parent in matters related to the child's everyday life and wellbeing. Other options, such as requiring consent from both parents or written notification, imply a shared responsibility or decision-making process that does not apply in the context of sole custody. Permission from the court is also not necessary unless there are specific legal restrictions placed on the custodial parent regarding the child’s whereabouts or tracking methods, which are generally not the case under typical sole custody arrangements.