Physical custody is older wording for where a child lives and when the child is physically with each parent. Arizona now uses parenting time to describe these arrangements. The two phrases describe the same reality using different terminology.

Sole physical custody in older language means the child lives primarily with one parent. Joint physical custody means the child spends substantial time with both parents. These concepts correspond to primary parenting time and shared parenting time under current Arizona law.

All Arizona orders use current statutory terminology. Legal decision making. Parenting time. These are the terms that appear in statutes, rules, and court orders.