Cal. Family Code - FAM § 3000. Section 3000.
Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, the definitions in this chapter govern the construction of this division.
CHAPTER 1. Definitions [3000. - 3007.]
Cal. Family Code - FAM 1.
in effectCal. Family Code - FAM § 3002. Section 3002.
“Joint custody” means joint physical custody and joint legal custody.
Cal. Family Code - FAM § 3003. Section 3003.
“Joint legal custody” means that both parents shall share the right and the responsibility to make the decisions relating to the health, education, and welfare of a child.
Cal. Family Code - FAM § 3004. Section 3004.
“Joint physical custody” means that each of the parents shall have significant periods of physical custody. Joint physical custody shall be shared by the parents in such a way so as to assure a child of frequent and continuing contact with both parents, subject to Sections 3011 and 3020.
Cal. Family Code - FAM § 3006. Section 3006.
“Sole legal custody” means that one parent shall have the right and the responsibility to make the decisions relating to the health, education, and welfare of a child.
Cal. Family Code - FAM § 3007. Section 3007.
“Sole physical custody” means that a child shall reside with and be under the supervision of one parent, subject to the power of the court to order visitation.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026