Child custody refers to the legal arrangement that determines where a child will live and who will make important decisions about their upbringing after their parents separate or divorce. There are two main types of custody: physical custody, which involves where the child resides, and legal custody, which pertains to the authority to make decisions about the child's education, health care, and other significant matters. In custody cases, courts typically prioritize the child's best interests, considering factors like the child's age, emotional needs, and the parents' ability to provide a stable environment. Parents may share custody, known as joint custody, or one parent may have primary custody, while the other has visitation rights.