The Growth in Shared Custody in the United States: Patterns and Implications

We document the dramatic decline in the United States of mother sole custody arrangements following divorce. Our empirical analysis uses Wisconsin court records data spanning more than two decades (1988–2010). Updating earlier analyses that showed significant increases in shared custody, we estimate that shared custody (where children spend at least 25% of time with each parent) has now replaced sole‐mother custody as the most common post‐divorce parenting arrangement—accounting for just over half (50.3%) of all cases in the most recent cohort available. We discuss the institutional context for these changes in custody in the United States, the sociodemographic factors associated with custody outcomes, and the implications for policy and practice. Key Points for the Family Court Community: Shared custody has increased markedly so that it is now the most common custody outcome in recent Wisconsin divorces, according to court records. It has also become more common across a diverse range of demographic groups. Equal‐shared custody is twice as likely as unequal‐shared custody (mostly mother primary‐shared custody) in recent cohorts—reflecting the growing involvement of fathers in their children's lives after separation. In contrast to previous research, shared custody is now unrelated to child age and gender. Income remains an important predictor, with shared custody more likely among those with higher incomes. With shared custody becoming more common and demographically diffuse, it is increasingly important for the family court community to help parents understand the benefits and risks of this rapidly expanding family form.