Legal Custody Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Legal Custody.

Legal Custody (noun)

A type of child custody that grants one or more adults the authority to make key decisions about a child's welfare, including decisions about education, healthcare, and overall upbringing. Although two parents often share legal custody, it can also be granted to a single parent or guardian. It is a term generally referred to in family law during divorce or separation proceedings.