Legal Custody
The right and responsibility to make major decisions about a child's upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religion.
Example
They shared legal custody, requiring joint decisions on their daughter's schooling.
Canadian Equivalent
In Canada, this is referred to as Decision-Making Responsibility (under 2021 Divorce Act amendments, replacing 'custody').
Jurisdiction Variations
Legal Custody
California uses the standard term; joint legal custody is the default presumption
Decision-Making Authority (under Parenting Plan)
Washington's parenting plan framework assigns 'decision-making authority' rather than 'legal custody'
Parental Rights and Responsibilities (shared/allocated)
Maine replaced 'custody' with 'parental rights and responsibilities'
Allocation of Decision-Making
West Virginia uses 'allocation of custodial responsibility and decision-making'
Parenting (decision-making authority)
Montana uses 'parenting' rather than 'custody'
Decision-Making Responsibility / Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
Colorado replaced 'custody' with 'allocation of parental responsibilities'