Custody is the legal decision of who has the right and obligation to raise the minor children. In many cases, the best solution is joint custody where both parents share the child rearing equally. The child then spends equal time with the parents instead of with just one or the other. In some cases, however, this is just not going to work out and custody must be awarded to one parent or the other. The custodial parent is the one who has full physical and legal control over the child. Some divorce agreements make provisions that both parents must agree to major decisions regarding the children, but this is an individual matter. A custody agreement is drawn up by the courts and must be agreed on by all parties. Such an agreement will take into account living arrangements, financial status and work schedules as well as other factors. One parent will not be able to just give an opinion and have it made into a court order; there will be hearings and facts presented unless both parties can come to a mutual and fair agreement that takes into account the best interests of the children as well as the custody rights of both parents.