There are two types of custody, legal custody and physical custody. The rights of legal or physical custody can be shared jointly between the child's parents or given solely to one parent.
Legal Custody
Legal custody refers to a parent's rights to make legal decisions for the child. This pertains to things like medical care or school decisions.
Physical Custody
Physical custody determines where the child lives.
Joint Custody
Joint custody is when legal and/or physical custody is shared between the parents. All sorts of parenting plans can be made with joint custody. Arrangements could vary anywhere from one parent being limited to supervised visitation rights while the other retains primary custody to both parents sharing legal rights and alternating weeks and holidays with the child or anything in between.
Sole Custody
Sole custody is when one parent retains the legal and physical custody of the child. This is awarded in serious cases such as instances of child abuse, neglect or endangerment.