joint custody
Joint custody is a form of child custody in which separated or divorced parents share both decision-making authority and responsibility for their child. It typically includes two components: joint legal custody, where both parents share the right and responsibility to make major decisions about the child's health, education, and welfare; and joint physical custody, where the child resides with each parent for significant periods of time.
Joint custody does not necessarily mean equal (50-50) time or authority. The specific arrangement depends on factors such as the child’s age, the parents’ circumstances, and the best interests of the child, as determined by the court.
[Last reviewed in July of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]
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