Child custody refers to the legal and practical relationship between a parent and a child, including the right of the parent to make decisions for the child and the duty to care for the child. In cases of divorce or separation, child custody arrangements determine where the child will live and how major decisions regarding the child’s upbringing will be made.

There are generally two types of child custody:

1. Legal Custody: This refers to the right to make decisions about the child’s upbringing, including decisions about education, healthcare, and religion.
2. Physical Custody: This refers to where the child will physically reside.

Custody arrangements can vary widely based on the circumstances of the parents and the best interests of the child. Some common custody arrangements include:

• Sole Custody: One parent has both legal and physical custody of the child.
• Joint Custody: Both parents share legal custody and may share physical custody as well, though not necessarily in equal proportions.
• Joint Legal Custody: Both parents share the right to make decisions about the child’s upbringing, but the child may primarily reside with one parent.
• Joint Physical Custody: The child spends significant amounts of time with both parents.

Custody arrangements can be determined through negotiations between the parents, mediation, or by court order if the parents cannot reach an agreement. Courts typically consider factors such as the child’s age, the relationship between the child and each parent, the ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs, and any history of abuse or neglect when making custody decisions.