Under California law, legal custody refers to which parent is allowed to make important life decisions for their child. Although California has several legal options regarding child custody, the most common is joint legal custody. When parents share joint legal custody, they are entitled to an equal say in important decisions regarding medical treatments, education, and religious upbringing. Anyone dealing with a child custody case needs the help of an experienced attorney who will assist them with developing parenting plans to safeguard their child’s well-being.