The physical control over a minor awarded by a court to a parent in a divorce or separation proceeding or in a similar action between the unmarried parents of the child. Such control usually includes the right to have the child live with the parent who is awarded custody, the right to determine the upbringing of the child (including the care, discipline, education, religion, and residence of the child), the right to make all legal decisions concerning the child, and the duty to care for and maintain the child. See also visitation rights.

An arrangement ordered by a court or agreed upon by the divorced or separated parents of a minor by which the parents share all authority, decisions, and responsibilities concerning the care and upbringing of their child, although the minor still primarily resides (usually) with only one of the parents.

An arrangement ordered by a court or agreed upon by the divorced or separated parents of a minor by which only one parent makes all the decisions and has all the authority and responsibilities concerning the care and upbringing of his or her child, to the exclusion of the other parent.