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Custody Guides for Different Family Members

Fathers:

Paternity and paternity tests
All about paternity and DNA testing. What happens after paternity has been established, and how fathers can protect their rights.

How to get a court-ordered paternity test (and who pays)
Learn what to expect when you're about to have a court-ordered paternity test. Who participates, who pays and what the outcome means for you.

Legal father vs. biological father vs. presumed father
Fathers must have a legal relationship with their children to get custodial rights. Discover the types of fatherhood and the rights that come with them.

Fathers' custody and visitation rights — unwed, unmarried, divorced
Stand up for your rights as a father. Get your fair share of time with your child.

Fathers' rights during pregnancy
Learn what rights one parent has during the other's pregnancy: the right to know about the baby, rights in abortion and financial rights.

Getting a fair custody arrangement: Advice for dads
Despite many states having laws against gender-based rulings, fathers tend to get less custodial time than mothers. If you're a father, here's some advice on how to get your desired timeshare.

What are the chances of a father getting full custody?
The chances of a father getting full custody are higher than ever. Find out your rights as a father and what you can do to prove your case in court.

Family court bias against fathers: Does it still exist?
It's a long-standing debate: Are family courts biased against fathers? Find out about the origins of this belief and how fathers can combat bias in court.

Mothers:

Mom: Empower yourself after a separation
When you're a mom, separating from your spouse or partner isn't easy. However, these five tips for self-empowerment could help you thrive.

Family court bias against mothers: Real or not?
Bias against mothers in family court is often overlooked. If you're a mother, find out how to spot and combat judicial bias in court.

Unmarried parents:

Unmarried parents and child custody
Unmarried parents have custody and visitation rights. You need to stand up for those rights.

Stepparents:

Stepparenting with custody issues: Plan effective visitation time
As a step parent, it's crucial to settle your custody situation to focus your efforts on effective parenting.

Legal considerations for marrying into a stepparenting role
When considering whether or not to marry into a stepparenting role, every situation is different. However, there are a few points of interest that you'll definitely want to put some thought into.

Grandparents:

Grandparents child custody & visitation rights: See your grandkids
Your grandchildren need you. Don't lose them because of a divorce.

Can a grandparent have joint custody with a parent?
Some grandparents and parents work well together to care for a child. These arrangements may be called co-guardianship or joint custody.

Aunts & uncles:

Aunts' and uncles' rights | Child custody and visitation
In some places, aunts and uncles have a right to visits with their nieces and nephews. Learn more, plus your options for legal guardianship or custody.

Siblings:

How to get custody of a sibling | Sibling custody rights
You may be able to get custody of your sibling, depending on where you live. Here are the steps to take and tips for success.

Explore examples of common schedules

Explore common schedules

Most popular articles

Examples:

Schedules

Long distance schedules

Third party schedules

Holidays

Summer break

Parenting provisions

Scheduling:

How to make a schedule

Factors to consider

Parenting plans:

Making a parenting plan

Changing your plan

Interstate, long distance

Temporary plans

Guides by location:

Parenting plans

Scheduling guidelines

Child support calculators

Age guidelines:

Birth to 18 months

18 months to 3 years

3 to 5 years

5 to 13 years

13 to 18 years

Terminology:

Joint physical custody

Sole physical custody

Joint legal custody

Sole legal custody

Product features:

Software overview

Printable calendars

Parenting plan templates

Journal what happens

Expense sharing

Parenting time tracking

Calculate time & overnights

Ways to use:

Succeed by negotiating

Prepare for mediation

Get ready for court

Join the 60,000+ other parents who have used our co-parenting tools

Organize your evidence

Track your expenses, journal what happens, and record actual time. Print organized, professional documents.

Co-parent civilly

Our parent-to-parent messaging system, which detects hostile language, lets you collaborate without the drama.

Get an accurate child support order

Child support is based on parenting time or overnights in most jurisdictions. Calculate time instead of estimating.

Succeed by negotiating

Explore options together with visual calendars and detailed parenting plans. Present alternatives and reach agreement.

Never forget an exchange or activity

Get push notifications and email reminders, sync with other calendar apps and share with the other parent.

Save up to $50,000 by avoiding court

Write your parenting agreement without lawyers. Our templates walk you through each step.

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