Although this is not a legal definition of legal custody, in general, a parent with legal custody has legal
authority to make decisions for his/her child on issues such as education, medical care, dental care, etc.
Joint Legal Custody
Parents who have joint legal custody will share in the responsibility of making decisions and raising
the child. According to California Family Code section 3003, "joint legal custody" means both parents
shall share the right and the responsibility to make the decisions relating to the health, education, and
welfare of a child."
Sole Legal Custody
A parent with sole legal custody will make the decisions regarding the upbringing of the child.
According to the California Family Code section 3006, "sole legal custody" means that one parent
shall have the right and the responsibility to make the decisions relating to the health, education,
and welfare of a child."