Legal Custody

Pronounced: LEE-guhl KUSS-tuh-dee


What it means: Legal custody means the right to make important decisions about a child’s life—like schooling, health care, and religion. It can be joint or sole.

Example: “Even though the kids live with me, we share legal custody, so we make major decisions together.”

When it's used: During custody discussions and in the parenting plan.

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Kick-Out Order