Joint custody is a court order that gives both parents custody of the child or children that are involved. Custody is shared between the two parents. Even though joint custody may be issued, child support, in most cases, will still have to be paid by one parent or the other. The wording in the legal paper work will make both parents "custodial parents" and no parent will be the "non-custodial" parent. In some states, even if joint custody is issued, one parent can retain sole physical custody of the child, meaning that the child's residence is considered to be at their address. In some states, this will give the terms custodial parent and non-custodial parent, meaning. Many states recognize two different forms of joint custody: that of joint physical custody and joint legal custody. Joint legal custody allows both parents to have access to medical records and educational records. It also allows both parents to have equal decision making in regards to the welfare and the future of the child. In the case of joint physical custody, usually the term visitation is thrown out and not used. Joint physical custody allows the actual lodging and care of the child to be shared.