"Child custody" comes in three basic dimensions.  These are the areas in which the court can make orders outlining the rights and duties of parents with respect to their children.    

Those three dimensions are:

I.    Parental Authority:  Which parent has the right to make certain decisions for the children, including where the children live primarily?

II.   The Residential Schedule:  On what hours and days are the children with each parent, including summers and holidays?

III.    Child Support:  How are the financial needs of the children going to be met, including cash support for their material, educational, and medical needs?   

Please follow the links above to read more about each.