There are several different types of child custody:
- Legal Custody: Parents who have legal custody are able to make legal decisions on matters impacting the child.
- Physical Custody: Children live with parents who have physical custody.
- Sole Custody: One parent has both physical and legal custody of the child. The other parent may have visitation rights, but does not have any custodial rights, and cannot make decisions affecting the child.
- Joint Legal Custody: In a situation of joint legal custody, both parents have a say in decisions that impact the child. In the event of a major dispute between parents who share joint legal custody, the courts can settle the dispute.
- Joint Physical Custody: When parents share joint physical custody, the children split time between living with both parents.
