physical custody

Physical custody is a legal term in family law referring to where a child lives and who provides day-to-day care.

A parent with physical custody has the child residing with them.

Courts may award sole physical custody to one parent or joint physical custody shared between both: The mother has primary physical custody, but the father has the children every other weekend.

Physical custody is distinct from legal custody, which concerns decision-making authority over the child's upbringing.