What is the difference between parenting time and custody?

Parents who are separated, divorced or never married must provide adequate care, financial support, emotional support and safety to their children. Parenting time and custody are the primary concerns when parents who are not together seek resolution about taking care of their child. While custody and parenting time are set in the best interest of the child, they are vastly different from each other.

Legal and physical custody are the two components of child custody. A parent with physical custody is given the right for their child to live with him and is responsible for providing food, shelter and care. Legal custody is the right to make significant decisions that affect the child’s life, such as education, health care and religious practices. One or both parents may have legal custody. Parenting time, formerly called visitation, is the time set for a child to spend time with a parent. The parents can agree on the parenting time or a court can determine the schedule.