Custody & fathers' rights, state by state

Courts may award joint or sole custody; joint custody is encouraged when consistent with the child's best interests.

Ala. Code § 30-3-150 (Joint Custody)

No preference for either parent; custody decided on statutory best-interest factors.

Alaska Stat. § 25.20.060

Public policy favors substantial, frequent, continuing contact with both parents (legal decision-making + parenting time).

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-403

Rebuttable presumption that joint custody is in the child's best interest (Act 604 of 2021).

Ark. Code § 9-13-101

Frequent and continuing contact with both parents is public policy; no gender preference.

Cal. Fam. Code § 3040 & § 3011

Allocation of parental responsibilities based on best interests; frequent contact encouraged.

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 14-10-124

Best-interest standard; joint custody presumed appropriate where parents agree.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-56

Family Court decides custody on best-interest factors; both parents' contact valued.

Del. Code tit. 13 § 722

Public policy favors shared parental responsibility and a time-sharing schedule.

Fla. Stat. § 61.13

No presumption for either parent; children 14+ may elect a parent (subject to best interests).

Ga. Code § 19-9-3

Best-interest standard; joint custody may be awarded on request of either parent.

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 571-46

Presumption that joint custody is in the child's best interests absent specific findings.

Idaho Code § 32-717B

Allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time on best-interest factors.

750 ILCS 5/602.7

Best-interest standard; Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines guide schedules.

Ind. Code § 31-17-2-8

Joint legal custody encouraged; joint physical care considered on request.

Iowa Code § 598.41

Best-interest standard; joint custody frequently ordered.

Kan. Stat. § 23-3201

Rebuttable presumption that joint custody and equal parenting time is in the child's best interest (2018 law).

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 403.270

Joint custody presumed to be in the best interest of the child unless rebutted.

La. Civ. Code art. 132

Parental rights and responsibilities allocated on best-interest factors.

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A § 1653

Best-interest standard; no presumption favoring either parent.

Md. Code, Fam. Law § 9-101 et seq.

Best-interest standard; shared legal custody common, physical custody case-specific.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 208 § 31

Best-interest factors; established custodial environment is protected.

Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.23

Best-interest standard; joint legal custody presumed appropriate on request.

Minn. Stat. § 518.17

Best-interest standard (Albright factors); joint custody available.

Miss. Code § 93-5-24

Public policy favors frequent, meaningful, continuing contact with both parents; no gender preference.

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 452.375

Parenting plans decided on best-interest factors.

Mont. Code § 40-4-212

Best-interest standard under the Parenting Act.

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2923

Public policy that joint physical/legal custody serves the child when both are fit.

Nev. Rev. Stat. § 125C.0035

Best-interest standard; frequent and continuing contact encouraged.

N.H. Rev. Stat. § 461-A:6

Best-interest standard; policy favors frequent and continuing contact.

N.J. Stat. § 9:2-4

Presumption that joint custody is in the child's best interests for initial determinations.

N.M. Stat. § 40-4-9.1

Best-interest standard; no presumption for either parent.

N.Y. Dom. Rel. Law § 240

Best-interest standard; joint or sole custody as appropriate.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-13.2

Best-interest standard; parenting responsibilities allocated accordingly.

N.D. Cent. Code § 14-09-06.2

Best-interest standard; shared parenting plans considered.

Ohio Rev. Code § 3109.04

Best-interest standard; joint custody available on request.

Okla. Stat. tit. 43 § 112

Best-interest standard; joint custody requires both parents' agreement.

Or. Rev. Stat. § 107.137

Best-interest standard with 16 statutory factors; no gender preference.

23 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5328

Best-interest standard; joint custody considered.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-5-16

Best-interest standard; joint or sole custody as appropriate.

S.C. Code § 63-15-230

Best-interest standard; Shared Parenting Guidelines available.

S.D. Codified Laws § 25-4A-24

Best-interest standard; permanent parenting plan required in every case.

Tenn. Code § 36-6-106

Public policy favors appointing parents as Joint Managing Conservators; Standard Possession Order applies.

Tex. Fam. Code § 153.131 & § 153.252

Rebuttable presumption favoring joint legal custody; advisory parent-time schedules.

Utah Code § 30-3-10

Best-interest standard; court will not order shared responsibility over one parent's objection.

Vt. Stat. tit. 15 § 665

Best-interest standard; no presumption for either parent or custody form.

Va. Code § 20-124.2 & § 20-124.3

Parenting plans decided on best-interest factors; residential schedule specified.

Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.187

Allocation based on caretaking history and best interests.

W. Va. Code § 48-9-206

Presumption favoring joint legal custody; maximize time with each parent.

Wis. Stat. § 767.41

Best-interest standard; joint or shared custody considered.

Wyo. Stat. § 20-2-201

Rebuttable presumption that joint custody is in the best interest of the child.

D.C. Code § 16-914