Free guides for parents

Custody Basics

Legal vs. physical custody, the best-interests standard, schedules, parenting plans, evaluations and modifications.

Custody Basics50/50 Custody Schedules: 2-2-3, 2-2-5-5 and Week-On/Week-Off ComparedCompare every common 50/50 custody schedule: how 2-2-3, 2-2-5-5, 3-4-4-3 and week-on/week-off rotate, how often kids switch homes, and what fits each age.8 min read

Custody BasicsThe Best-Interests-of-the-Child Standard: What Judges Actually Look AtThe best interests of the child factors courts use to decide custody, what each one means in real life, and how to organize your evidence around them calmly.8 min read

Custody BasicsAt What Age Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With? The Honest AnswerCan a child choose which parent to live with? How courts weigh a child’s preference by age and maturity, how kids are heard, and what parents should avoid.7 min read

Custody BasicsThe Custody Evaluation: What Really Happens, From First Interview to ReportWhat happens in a custody evaluation: who the evaluator is, interviews, testing, home visits, calls to teachers, the report, and how to prepare calmly.7 min read

Custody BasicsThe Custody Home Study: What Evaluators Actually Look For, Room by RoomWhat happens during a custody home study, what evaluators check room by room, the safety basics that matter most, and how to prepare without staging.8 min read

Custody BasicsEmergency and Ex Parte Custody Orders: What Counts as an Emergency and What Happens NextWhat an emergency or ex parte custody order is, what courts treat as an emergency, how to ask for one, and what happens at the follow-up hearing.12 min read

Custody BasicsFathers in Custody Court: What Actually Matters (and What Doesn’t)Fathers rights custody basics: gender-neutral laws, paternity for unmarried dads, proving everyday involvement, and the mistakes that hurt fathers in court.8 min read

Custody BasicsGrandparent Custody and Visitation: What Grandparents Can (and Can't) Ask ForGrandparents' rights to custody and visitation, explained: when courts allow a request, how custody differs from visitation, and how to document your role.8 min read

Custody BasicsWorking With a Guardian ad Litem: How to Help Them See Your Child ClearlyHow a guardian ad litem custody investigation works: what the GAL does, how to prepare for meetings and home visits, what to send, and how to raise concerns.8 min read

Custody BasicsHoliday Schedules for Custody Mediation (Free Worksheet)Build a holiday schedule for child custody mediation with our free worksheet: how to fill it in, 5 ways to split holidays, sample wording and proposals.8 min read

Custody BasicsHow to Get Full Custody of Your Child: What Courts Look ForHow to get full custody of your child: what full and sole custody really mean, when courts consider them, the evidence that matters and what can backfire.8 min read

Custody BasicsHow to Modify a Custody Order When Your Family’s Life Has ChangedHow to modify a custody order: what a change in circumstances usually means, how agreed and contested changes work, what evidence helps and mistakes to avoid.8 min read

Custody BasicsHow to Write a Parenting Plan That Works (With Sample Clauses)How to write a parenting plan that works: the sections to include, sample clauses for schedules, exchanges and communication, and how to avoid vague wording.8 min read

Custody BasicsLegal Custody vs. Physical Custody, Explained in Plain EnglishLegal vs physical custody explained: who makes decisions, where the child lives, how joint and sole combinations work, and how to read your own order.8 min read

Custody BasicsLong-Distance Custody Schedules That Actually Work for KidsLong distance custody schedule examples: school-year and summer splits, holiday rotation, who travels and pays, and steady video calls between visits.8 min read

Custody BasicsMoving Away With Your Child: How Relocation Custody Cases WorkHow a relocation custody case works: notice rules, what courts weigh when a parent wants to move with a child, and how each parent can prepare their side.8 min read

Custody BasicsRight of First Refusal Custody Clauses: Examples You Can AdaptRight of first refusal custody clauses examples for 8 situations: basic, overnight-only, work shifts, relatives, notice, high-conflict, plus offer messages.7 min read

Custody BasicsSupervised Visitation: How It Works and the Path Back to Unsupervised TimeHow supervised visitation works: types of supervision, visitation center rules, who pays, what supervisors report, and how parents move to unsupervised time.7 min read

Custody BasicsTemporary Custody Orders: Why the First Hearing Matters More Than You ThinkHow temporary custody orders work, what they usually cover, how to prepare for the first hearing, and why the months under a temporary order count.8 min read

Custody BasicsNever Married? How Custody Works for Unmarried Parents, Step by StepHow unmarried parents custody works: who has custody by default, establishing paternity, getting a custody order, and why informal deals can fall apart.8 min read

Custody BasicsStandard Visitation Schedules by Age: What Fits Babies to TeensStandard visitation schedules by age, from infants to teens: common patterns, why they change as kids grow, step-up plans, holidays and long-distance tweaks.8 min read

Custody BasicsWhat Makes a Father “Unfit” in the Eyes of the Court?What makes a father unfit in the eyes of the court, what doesn’t, and the middle-ground orders judges often use instead of cutting a parent out entirely.7 min read

Custody BasicsWhat Makes a Mother “Unfit” in the Eyes of the Court?What makes a mother unfit in the eyes of the court: the conduct judges weigh, what doesn’t count, the records that matter and what to do if you’re accused.8 min read