What is the difference between physical and legal custody of a child?

Physical custody is the actual time a parent spends exercising custody over a child. Legal custody is the right to make decisions about the child’s education, religion, health, safety, and welfare. Typically, parents share joint legal custody, even if one parent has more or all physical custody of a child. If you need help understanding child custody laws or want to challenge your current child custody order, Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, LLP can help.