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Legal Information: District of Columbia

Custody

Updated: 
November 1, 2019

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

Legal Information

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