Child custody (also known as legal custody, conservatorship, or allocation of parenting time and responsibilities) refers to the legal possession, rights, and responsibilities for a minor child by the child’s birth or adoptive parents—including the right to make health care, religious, cultural, and education decisions about the child's upbringing.

During separation, and following divorce, a child’s natural parents often share custody of the child (shared custody or joint custody)—unless one or both of the child’s natural or adoptive parents are deemed to be unfit or pose a risk to the health, safety, and well-being of the child (the child’s best interests). If one of the parents is deemed unfit, the other parent may be awarded sole custody of the child. In some cases a parent who is not allowed to have custody of a child may be given visitation rights—sometimes under the supervision of another adult (supervised visitation). Child custody laws are usually located in your state’s statutes governing family and domestic matters, and may be referred to as the Family Code.

Child custody is distinct from guardianship of a child, which usually involves a relative or an unrelated person temporarily agreeing to take responsibility for a child following the death of the child’s birth or adoptive parents, or their abandonment. And adoption is taking full and permanent responsibility for a child by someone other than the child’s birth parents.

In Ohio, child custody laws are designed to ensure the best interests of the child are the primary concern in custody decisions. When parents separate or divorce, they can either agree on a parenting plan or seek a court's intervention. Ohio recognizes both shared custody (joint custody) and sole custody arrangements. Shared custody allows both parents to have a role in making important decisions for the child and to spend significant time with the child. If one parent is deemed unfit or poses a risk to the child's well-being, the other parent may be granted sole custody. Unfit parents may still be granted visitation rights, which can be supervised if necessary. Ohio's child custody statutes are found within the state's domestic relations laws, which outline the factors courts consider when determining custody, such as the child's relationship with each parent, the child's adjustment to home and community, and the mental and physical health of all parties involved. Guardianship and adoption are separate legal arrangements that provide care for a child when the birth or adoptive parents are unable or unwilling to do so.