Child Custody Laws in the United States

Each state has different child custody laws. Some states presume that parents have joint custody, while other states do not. In addition, some states presume that in the case of unmarried parents, the mother automatically has custody, while others expect single mothers to file for custody, even if the father is not involved. Click on the name of your state below to learn more about the child custody laws in your jurisdiction.Understand Your State's Child Custody Laws

As a single parent, it is your responsibility to become familiar with the child custody laws in your state, even if you're working with a lawyer.

• Use the link for each state (above) to access a detailed summary of the child custody laws for each state.
• At the end of each summary, you'll find a link to the state's online copy of their current child custody laws.
• Read through the statutes and make a list of questions about anything you do not understand.

Read more at: http://singleparents.about.com/od/legalissues/a/custody_laws.htm