Legal Information: District of Columbia

Custody

Updated: 
December 27, 2016

What is physical custody?

Physical custody refers to a child’s living arrangements.1

Sole physical custody is when the child lives primarily with only one parent on a day-to-day basis. Joint physical custody is when there is a division of time with the child by both parents, but it does not necessarily mean the child spends equal amounts of time with each parent. The judge may also order a specific visitation schedule.2

1 D.C. Code § 16-914(a)(1)(B)
2 See the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program website

Next: What is joint custody?
Legal Information

© 2008–2018 National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. All rights reserved. This website is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided.