In the US, there is a difference in sole custody and joint custody, the
latter custody being the predominant choice of the US courts. Does this
difference exist in Turkey as well? What are the rights of the
non-custodial parent? What may the custodial parent do without the
permission of the non-custodial parent? What rights would the woman
who marries the custodial-father have over the child, especially when the
custodial-father would pass away? What grounds exist under Turkish law
to contest custody, or even to contest/annul a divorce? Would a foreign
parent have less of a chance in getting custody of a child if that parent
wants to take him out of Turkey? Can the custodial parent refuse to give
permission to the non-custodial parent to speak on the telephone or to
see the child?

These questions are based upon a Turkish divorce between a Turkish
father who has custody of the older son (now 5yrs old) living in Istanbul
and an American mother who has custody of their younger son (now 3.5
yrs old) living in the US.

I would appreciate any and every assistance and information which can
be given to me on this topic. Thank you in advance.