Ideally, the parents will decide who has legal custody of the children: one parent ('sole' custody) or both parents ('joint' custody). Legal custody is the authorization to make broad decisions about the child’s upbringing and long-term care during the childhood years. Some of the issues we review with parents and assert in court include: Education. Where your child goes to school is the responsibility and choice of the parent(s) with legal custody. Howard County generally favors keeping children in the same school, when the circumstances warrant it. One or both parents need to decide which doctors a child sees, what recommended treatments are advisable and how emergencies are to be handled. Religious and moral upbringing. A decision may be made about the faith of the child and which place of worship the child should attend, if any...more