Joint custody is an arrangement between separated parents where each parent has a degree of control over, and a measure of responsibility for a child. Joint custody involves both physical custody and legal custody. Joint legal custody means both parents share joint authority and responsibility for making major decisions regarding health, education, and welfare of the child. Joint physical custody means a physical sharing of the child; however, it does not necessarily mean a 50-50 sharing of time. Each case is varies based on the child's age, the parents' situations, and other factors relevant to a particular child custody case.
[Last updated in June of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team]