Family law
Joint custody
Also called shared custody
Custody shared by both parents, either for decision-making (joint legal custody), for where the child lives (joint physical custody), or both.[1]
In more detail
California's courts describe joint legal custody as both parents sharing the rights and responsibilities for important decisions.[1] In Texas, the comparable status is joint managing conservatorship.[2]
Varies by state
Presumptions for or against joint custody differ by state and change when there is family violence. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- Sole custodyCustody held by one parent alone, for decisions about the child, where the child lives, or both.
- Legal custodyThe right and responsibility to make important decisions about a child, such as health care, education and welfare.
- ConservatorshipTexas's term for what most states call custody: a parent's rights and duties toward a child.
- Shared parental responsibilityIn Florida, a court-ordered arrangement in which both parents keep full parental rights and responsibilities and make major decisions about their child together.
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Sources
The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.
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Cite this page
MediationList. (2026, October 28). Joint custody: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/joint-custody/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.