📅 2026 Update: Changes in Joint Custody Laws

Since the article was written, several important changes have occurred in custody laws across various states. These updates focus on child safety, parental rights, and the standards for custody decisions. The earlier article continues below, providing foundational information on how to pursue joint custody.

🏛️ Pennsylvania's Kayden's Law

Effective August 13, 2024, Pennsylvania's Kayden's Law emphasizes child safety in custody decisions. It introduces a rebuttable presumption for supervised visitation when a parent poses an ongoing risk of abuse. This law also mandates that any criminal and abuse histories must be disclosed in custody cases, helping protect children's welfare.

⚖️ Florida's Equal Time-Sharing Presumption

As of July 1, 2023, Florida law now presumes that equal time-sharing between parents serves the child's best interests. This change shifts the burden to the parent who wants a different arrangement, aligning with the growing trend of promoting shared parenting.

📜 Maryland's Best Interest Factors

Starting October 1, 2025, Maryland established 16 specific factors for determining a child's best interests in custody cases. This codification provides a consistent framework for courts, ensuring that custody decisions are fair and transparent, which can greatly impact joint custody arrangements.

⏰ Virginia's Prompt Custody Adjudication

Virginia law now mandates that custody and visitation arrangements are adjudicated promptly. This change aims to prioritize decisions about children's support and maintenance before other issues, helping families reach resolutions faster during custody disputes.

📌 Key Points

  • 🏛️ Pennsylvania's Kayden's Law focuses on child safety.
  • ⚖️ Florida now presumes equal time-sharing is best for children.
  • 📜 Maryland has standardized factors for determining child interests.
  • ⏰ Virginia requires prompt decisions in custody matters.
  • 🏠 Changes aim to enhance child welfare and parental rights.

💡 Tips for Navigating Joint Custody

Reviewing your unique situation with your attorney is essential to understand your custody options fully. Here are some practical tips that can help in navigating joint custody.

📝 Understand Modification Procedures

When seeking to modify a custody order, parents need to file a petition with the court. Ensure you follow your local procedures and provide any required documentation to support your request.

🕒 Act Promptly After Changes

If there is a significant change in circumstances, it is advisable to file for modification as soon as possible. Delaying the process might affect the court's willingness to consider your request.

📊 Be Prepared for Evaluations

Courts may require evaluations or assessments during custody modification proceedings. Being prepared for these evaluations can help ensure that your case is presented effectively.

🗣️ Consider Mediation Options

Mediation can be a helpful step before going to court. Many jurisdictions encourage mediation to help parents reach an agreement that serves the child's best interests.

🤝 Explore Free Legal Aid

Many states provide free or low-cost legal assistance for custody disputes. Organizations like Legal Aid Society can offer valuable resources or referrals to help you navigate the process.

🏆 Ranked by User Reviews (2026)

This section features services that help with legal matters related to child custody, including document preparation and legal advice. The order follows Trustpilot data, which was verified in October 2026. Ratings can change over time, and it's important to consider both positive and negative reviews when evaluating these services.

🥇 1. LegalZoom

LegalZoom has been rated 4.6 by 33,625 reviewers. It is known for offering comprehensive legal document services and a user-friendly platform. However, some users have reported delays and scheduling conflicts, which may affect your experience when seeking help for joint custody matters.

🥈 2. Rocket Lawyer

Rocket Lawyer holds a score of 4.5. It is recognized for its affordable legal services and online document preparation. Some users mention that the subscription model can lead to unexpected charges, and complex cases may require additional legal assistance, which is worth considering if you are navigating custody issues.

🆓 Free Legal Aid Services

Many states offer free or low-cost legal aid services for those involved in custody disputes. Organizations such as Legal Aid Society provide resources and may connect you with pro bono attorneys, making legal support more accessible for families needing to navigate custody matters.

🔎 Choosing Legal Services

  • 📅 Check the service's processing times for custody modifications.
  • 💰 Compare costs for filing fees and attorney fees.
  • 🌐 Look for user reviews about customer service experiences.
  • 📋 Ensure the service offers specific resources for custody cases.
  • 🗣️ Research the availability of mediation or negotiation support.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is the first step to modify a custody order?

To modify a custody order, you must file a formal petition with your local court. Ensure you follow the specific procedures in your jurisdiction.

⚠️ How does a significant change in circumstances affect custody?

A substantial change in circumstances must be demonstrated when seeking a custody modification. This change should be significant enough to justify altering the existing arrangement.

🕰️ How long does a custody modification usually take?

Processing times for custody modifications vary by jurisdiction. Courts aim to resolve these matters quickly, but the duration can depend on case complexity and court schedules.

👥 Can I receive legal assistance for custody disputes?

Yes, many states offer free or low-cost legal assistance for custody disputes. Organizations like the Legal Aid Society can provide valuable resources and referrals.

🛡️ What does Kayden's Law in Pennsylvania entail?

Kayden's Law emphasizes child safety in custody decisions and requires disclosure of any criminal and abuse histories in custody cases. It creates a presumption for supervised visitation if a parent poses a risk of abuse.

🏛️ How does Maryland's new law affect custody decisions?

Maryland has codified 16 specific factors to determine a child's best interests in custody cases. This standardization aims to provide fairness and consistency in custody arrangements.

⚖️ Recent Cases on Joint Custody

Recent court rulings reflect ongoing developments in custody laws and practices. These rulings impact how joint custody cases are handled and provide insights into the evolving legal landscape regarding child welfare.

For more recent rulings, you can browse more rulings on the news page.

End of October 2026 Update





3 Ways to Properly Get Joint Custody: A Practical Guide

Obtaining joint custody of your children can be a challenging and complicated process. However, it’s crucial to work towards an arrangement that benefits your children's well-being and provides a positive co-parenting relationship with your former partner. In this article, we provide a practical guide to three ways to properly get joint custody, including the following headings:

1. Understand Your State’s Laws

Different states have different laws on child custody arrangements, and it's essential to understand the rules and regulations of your state. You can start by researching your state's guidelines on joint custody, which may include factors such as the child’s age, relationship with each parent, and geographical proximity to each parent. Knowing the legal framework and specific procedures for joint custody will help you develop a stronger case and avoid any complications in the process.

2. Develop a Strong Co-Parenting Relationship

One of the most effective ways to get joint custody is by developing a strong co-parenting relationship with your former partner. Communication is key when it comes to co-parenting, and it’s essential to work together to develop a parenting plan that benefits your children’s needs. Showing a willingness to cooperate and put your children's interests first can help prove your ability to provide a stable and loving home for them.

3 Ways to Properly Get Joint Custody

3. Seek the Services of an Experienced Lawyer

Working with a skilled and experienced attorney can be incredibly helpful when trying to get joint custody. An experienced lawyer can provide legal strategy and guidance throughout the process, ensuring your rights and interests are represented. Additionally, a lawyer can help you prepare for court proceedings, negotiate with your former partner, and address any legal issues that may arise.

Conclusion

Obtaining joint custody can be a complicated and challenging process. However, by understanding your state’s laws on custody, developing a strong co-parenting relationship, and seeking the services of an experienced lawyer, you can work towards a successful outcome. Remember, your primary focus should be on your children's well-being and their best interests. By working towards a positive co-parenting relationship, you can provide a happy, safe, and loving environment for your children to thrive in both of their homes.

During a child custody dispute, it may be the wishes of either one or both separating parents to obtain joint custody of their children.

Joint custody is the type of child custody awarded by the courts in which both parents are awarded custody of the children.

Joint custody will allow for the children to spend time with both parents, oftentimes living with both parents at the same time.

Typically, to get joint custody, there are certain things that must be present, both on a legal plane, as well in terms of the relationship of the couple after the divorce. To get joint custody of children, here are general considerations that may be of some help:

1. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY AND FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FORMER SPOUSE -


Though joint custody may prove to be quite beneficial for the children in order to maintain a relationship with both parents, joint custody will only work under certain circumstances.

To get custody may only require certain legal requirements in order to be awarded this kind of child custody.

However, in order to make joint custody work for both the children and the involved former spouses, a friendly and respectful relationship must exist.

To get joint custody will inherently mean that there will be the necessity of communication and interaction between both parents.

If the reasons and consequences of the result have resulted in negative emotions and feelings existing between parents, joint custody may not be the best possible solution.

Therefore, aside from the legal requirements, establishing a healthy and amicable relationship with the former spouse may arguably be the most important element to not only get joint custody but also to make it work.

2. CONSULT THE SERVICES OF A DIVORCE ATTORNEY -


The process to get joint custody of children may prove to be quite complex, particularly because the laws and statutes may vary from state to state.

Employing the services of an attorney may be the best way to get joint custody. A joint custody petition will be needed for the proposal or request of joint custody to the courts.

The attorney will be best suited to draft the joint custody petition, though the spouse will be responsible for supplying the necessary information.

The petition will and should include reasons as to why joint custody is in the best interest of the child.

Furthermore, it may also include information as to how the spouse is preparing and intends to provide for the child while in joint custody.

3. OPEN MIND AND WILLINGNESS TO COMPROMISE -


To get joint custody would entail communicating such a wish with the former spouse.

Therefore, there will be some inherent need to compromise between both parents in order to make joint custody a possibility.

Furthermore, because two forms of joint custody apply, such as joint physical custody and joint legal custody, one should determine which is best for the child.

Joint physical custody involves both parents taking care and housing the child, while joint legal custody includes such responsibilities, but grants rights to both parents in regards to the child's upbringing.

In the case of the latter, compromise will be the most important aspect needed to make joint custody work for both the parents and most importantly, the children involved.

Compromise in terms of visitation rights will oftentimes be the issue commonly discussed involving joint custody matters.