GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Custody Decision-Making Duration Statistics

The average duration for reaching a custody decision in the United States is approximately one year, varying depending on the complexity of the case and the court system.

Last Updated: June 20, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

How we write

In this post, we provide a comprehensive overview of custody decision-making duration based on a range of statistics related to child custody cases. With data revealing insights such as the percentage of cases going to trial, average resolution times, and the likelihood of different custody outcomes, readers will gain valuable insights into the dynamics of custody disputes and resolutions.

Statistic 1

"Only around 4% of custody-related cases go to trial, with 91% being settled between parents, and 5% settled after court-ordered mediation."

Statistic 2

"The average time for a divorce case involving child custody and support issues to be finalized is about 11 months."

Statistic 3

"Around 51% of custody decisions are made without any intervention from the family court."

Statistic 4

"According to a national survey, 40% of lawyers said that the average child custody battle takes 15 months or more."

Statistic 5

"Court-ordered mediation takes on average 3-4 months to resolve child custody issues."

Statistic 6

"Only 29% of custodial parents receive full child support payments after a custody decision."

Statistic 7

"Approximately 77% of non-residential parents have visitation rights, which are usually decided in a custody decision."

Statistic 8

"Statistically, mothers are more likely to get primary residential custody, at about 80%."

Statistic 9

"Around 15% of divorce cases involving child custody disputes take 12-18 months to get resolved."

Statistic 10

"41% of the fathers who present their case in court seeking custody get shared custody of their children."

Statistic 11

"Legal fees for custody litigation typically range from $3,000 to $40,000."

Statistic 12

"In nearly 29% of cases, the decision regarding child custody takes about 6 months."

Statistic 13

"Around 2% of the child custody disputes results in joint physical custody."

Statistic 14

"After a custody decision, almost 50% of the children have some kind of private contact arrangement with absent parents."

Statistic 15

"For stepparents, the average duration of a custody battle is 6-12 months."

Statistic 16

"The average cost for divorce cases involving child custody and support issues is approximately $19,180."

Statistic 17

"In a study on post-divorce conflict, it was found that high-conflict divorces where custody is contested took an average of 17 months to reach resolution."

The statistics presented here provide valuable insights into the complex landscape of custody decision-making and its associated outcomes. The data reveal a predominant trend of out-of-court settlements and mediation, highlighting the preference for amicable resolutions among parents. However, the length of time it takes to finalize custody cases, along with disparities in child support payments and custody arrangements, underscore the challenges and uncertainties that families may face during these proceedings. Despite prevailing patterns such as mothers typically receiving primary residential custody and the high costs associated with litigation, there is a notable percentage of shared custody arrangements and positive post-decision contact between children and non-residential parents, indicating a diverse array of outcomes in custody disputes.