Child Custody Types

Determining who gets child custody is decided based on various family law matters. In Newport News, Virginia, there are two types of custody: physical and legal.

Physical Custody

The parent awarded physical custody lives with the child and oversees their daily care. Primary physical custody means the child lives with one parent, and joint physical custody means the child splits time between both households.

Legal Custody

Legal custody determines which parent takes control of the care of the children and makes decisions relating to their well-being, including health, schools, religion, and other decisions parents typically make when raising their child. In some cases, legal custody is awarded to one parent, but in others, a court splits this responsibility between both parents, regardless of who has physical custody.