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Looking at data on custodial parents in the U.S.

On Behalf of | Feb 11, 2022 | Child Custody |

Whether you have plans to file for a divorce as a parent or you are a custodial parent who ended your marriage years ago, it is helpful to review data on child custody. Parents often face a number of challenges involving their children during and after their divorce. Whether you worry about your ability to win a custody battle, you face financial hardships as a custodial parent or your child’s other parent refuses to respect the terms of a custody order, it is critical to understand your rights.

Custody matters can have a significant impact on a child’s well-being, and they require careful consideration.

Statistics on custodial parents

According to information published by the U.S. Census Bureau, over one out of every four children under 21 had a parent living outside of their home during 2018. In April 2018, there were 12.9 million custodial parents (those who live with kids under 21) in the U.S. Moreover, while almost half of custodial parents had informal or legal child support arrangements in 2018, only 45.9% received the full amount of child support owed to them.

Fathers and child custody

Recent years have seen an increase in the number of fathers securing custody rights. In 1994, fathers made up 16% of custodial parents, compared to 20.1% during 2018. Moreover, data shows that custodial fathers are, on average, older than custodial mothers. If you worry about your custody rights as a father or the potential outcome of a custody dispute as a mother, it is important to understand this trend.

When it comes to child custody, you need to examine the unique details of your situation and prioritize your child’s best interests.