Legal custody refers to the right and responsibility to make important decisions regarding the child's upbringing, such as education, healthcare, and religious practices. Physical custody, on the other hand, determines where the child primarily resides and receives day-to-day care. Joint legal custody means both parents have the right to participate in decision-making, while sole legal custody grants one parent the sole authority. Physical custody can also be joint or sole, depending on the custody arrangement determined by the court.