Legal custody refers to the right and responsibility of a parent or guardian to make important decisions about a child's life. This includes choices about education, healthcare, and religious upbringing. When parents have legal custody, they work together or individually to ensure the child's best interests are met. There are two main types of legal custody: sole custody and joint custody. In sole custody, one parent has the exclusive right to make decisions for the child, while in joint custody, both parents share this responsibility. The court typically determines custody arrangements based on what is best for the child's well-being.