HILL, Justice.
A rule nisi may be used by the trial court to give notice of a permanent child custody hearing notwithstanding the practice that a rule nisi is more often used to give notice of preliminary, temporary or other interlocutory hearings. See Herring v. Standard Guaranty Ins. Co., 238 Ga. 261, 262 ( 232 S.E.2d 544) (1977). After the time for filing defense pleadings expires, it is not error for such hearing to be set by rule nisi less than 30 days hence, as the time for trial is set by Code Ann. § 81A-140 (a), not Code Ann. § 81A-156 (c) as contended by appellant's counsel.
The trial judge found that it was in the best interests of the children that custody be awarded to the father. There is evidence to support that award. Gazaway v. Brackett, 241 Ga. 127, 128 ( 244 S.E.2d 238) (1978); Anderson v. Anderson, 240 Ga. 795 ( 242 S.E.2d 593) (1978).
Judgment affirmed. All the Justices concur.
HILL, Justice.
ARGUED MAY 15, 1979 — DECIDED SEPTEMBER 6, 1979.