Washington Divorce Frequently Asked Questions | Seattle Child Custody FAQs

Q: What is the difference between legal custody and physical custody?

A: In Washington State, a parent with physical custody of their child provides a home for the child, while a parent with legal custody of a child is responsible for making decisions for that child regarding education, religion, upbringing, and health care. In many cases, couple who are divorcing will have shared legal custody of their children, while one parent has primary physical custody and the other has secondary physical custody.