The legal right and duty to care for and make decisions for a child.

"Care for" covers where the child lives, who handles daily routines, and how parenting time is divided. "Make decisions" covers school, medical treatment, counseling, religion, and other major choices. Some custody arrangements are shared, and some give one parent more authority or more time. Courts usually split custody into physical custody and legal custody, even if a state uses different labels. In Texas, courts usually use the word conservatorship instead of custody. Under the Texas Family Code, the court looks at the child's best interest when setting possession and access, decision-making power, and support.

Practically, custody controls who can say yes to surgery, switch schools, move the child, or sign important papers. If parents are separating, get the schedule, pickup rules, holiday plan, and decision-making rights written into a court order. Vague handshake deals turn into fights fast, especially when work travel, shift work, or dangerous jobs make schedules unpredictable.

Custody can also affect an injury claim involving a child. The parent with authority over medical and legal decisions may be the one dealing with treatment, insurance, and settlement paperwork. If parents disagree, that can delay care or a claim. In Texas, a modification may be possible if circumstances materially and substantially change, and emergency orders can be requested when a child's safety is at risk.