Alaska's rule on child custody and parenting time turns on a feature the national template does not capture: Alaska uses Legal custody and physical custody; parenting plans allocate decision-making and residential schedules.. Alaska Stat. § 25.24.150 lists best-interests factors including the child’s needs, each parent’s capability, love and affection, stability, domestic violence, and the child’s preference when of sufficient age. Courts encourage frequent contact with both parents when safe; domestic-violence findings can create presumptions against custody for the abusive parent. The controlling authority is Alaska Stat. §§ 25.20.060 to 25.20.140; Alaska Stat. § 25.24.150. Relocation: A parent seeking to relocate with the child typically must show the move is in the child’s best interests under § 25.24.150 factors. Modification: A substantial change in circumstances is required before the court reopens a final custody decree.
Key takeaways
- Best-interests standard: Alaska Stat.
- Labels used in Alaska: Legal custody and physical custody; parenting plans allocate decision-making and residential schedules..
- Parenting-time posture: Courts encourage frequent contact with both parents when safe; domestic-violence findings can create presumptions against custody for the abusive parent.
- Relocation: A parent seeking to relocate with the child typically must show the move is in the child’s best interests under § 25.
- Modification: A substantial change in circumstances is required before the court reopens a final custody decree.
- Primary authority: Alaska Stat. §§ 25.20.060 to 25.20.140; Alaska Stat. § 25.24.150.
Worked example under Alaska law
The illustration below uses only rules already stated for Alaska. It is a research hypothetical, not a prediction of what a court will do.
Two parents in Alaska disagree about where the child lives during the school week, and one wants to move.
- Use the labels Alaska actually uses: Legal custody and physical custody; parenting plans allocate decision-making and residential schedules..
- Apply the best-interests factors: Alaska Stat. § 25.24.150 lists best-interests factors including the child’s needs, each parent’s capability, love and affection, stability, domestic violence, and the child’s preference when of sufficient age.
- Check any parenting presumption: Courts encourage frequent contact with both parents when safe; domestic-violence findings can create presumptions against custody for the abusive parent.
- If a move is proposed: A parent seeking to relocate with the child typically must show the move is in the child’s best interests under § 25.24.150 factors. Later changes follow: A substantial change in circumstances is required before the court reopens a final custody decree.
Custody is decided in divorce/dissolution or a dedicated custody action. Temporary orders may issue early. Many cases settle through mediation. Trials focus on the statutory best-interests list.
Best-interests factors in Alaska
Alaska Stat. § 25.24.150 lists best-interests factors including the child’s needs, each parent’s capability, love and affection, stability, domestic violence, and the child’s preference when of sufficient age.
Legal custody, physical custody, and parenting time
Legal custody and physical custody; parenting plans allocate decision-making and residential schedules.
Courts encourage frequent contact with both parents when safe; domestic-violence findings can create presumptions against custody for the abusive parent.
Relocation with a child
A parent seeking to relocate with the child typically must show the move is in the child’s best interests under § 25.24.150 factors.
Modifying a Alaska custody order
A substantial change in circumstances is required before the court reopens a final custody decree.
How custody cases typically move in Alaska
Custody is decided in divorce/dissolution or a dedicated custody action. Temporary orders may issue early. Many cases settle through mediation. Trials focus on the statutory best-interests list.
Related Alaska guides
Case law: custody and parenting time in Alaska
Faith M. MOELLER-PROKOSCH, Appellant, v. Chuck F. PROKOSCH, Appellee
Faith M. MOELLER-PROKOSCH, Appellant, v. Chuck F. PROKOSCH, Appellee, 2001 Alas. LEXIS 92 (2001)
…have access to better job prospects. She appeals an initial custody order that awarded the parties joint legal custody of their son and that conditioned the award of primary physical custody to Faith on her maintenance of the child's residence within a sixty-five mile radius of the Anchorage residence of her ex-husband, Chuck Prokosch. Because the trial court did not conduct th…
On child custody, Faith M. MOELLER-PROKOSCH, Appellant, v. Chuck F. PROKOSCH, Appellee speaks to the Alaska dispute in this passage: "Faith on her maintenance of the child's residence within a sixty-five mile radius of the Anchorage residence of her ex-husband, Chuck Prokosch." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Irene Elapuck TURNER, Appellant, v. May PANNICK, Appellee
Irene Elapuck TURNER, Appellant, v. May PANNICK, Appellee, 1975 Alas. LEXIS 346 (1975)
…peal from a judgment denying appellant's petition to obtain custody of her child Roberta from appellee. Irene Turner filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in order to obtain custody of her two-year old daughter from appellant's sister, May Pannick. An order to show cause in the matter was entered and a hearing was held pursuant to he order. After both parties and their w…
On child custody, Irene Elapuck TURNER, Appellant, v. May PANNICK, Appellee speaks to the Alaska dispute in this passage: "Roberta from appellee. Irene Turner filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in order to obtain custody of her two-year old daughter from appellant's sister, May Pannick. An order to show cause in the matter was entered and a hearing was held pursuant to he order." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Charles Luther McCLAIN, Appellant, v. Dianne Pruitt McCLAIN, Appellee
Charles Luther McCLAIN, Appellant, v. Dianne Pruitt McCLAIN, Appellee, 1986 Alas. LEXIS 307 (1986)
…f the superior court granting Charles and his ex-wife joint custody of their child. The court based its order in part on an agreement executed by both parents and subsequently renounced by Charles. Facts. At the center of the controversy is an agreement signed by Dianne and Charles McClain (“Dianne” and “Charles”) regarding custody of their adopted minor child, Wendy (d.o.b. De…
Practitioners open Charles Luther McCLAIN, Appellant, v. Dianne Pruitt McCLAIN, Appellee when Alaska child custody turns on the distinction in this sentence: "Charles and his ex-wife joint custody of their child. The court based its order in part on an agreement executed by both parents and subsequently renounced by Charles. Facts." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
Elizabeth L. LEE, Appellant, v. Geral L. COX, Appellee
Elizabeth L. LEE, Appellant, v. Geral L. COX, Appellee, 1990 Alas. LEXIS 53 (1990)
…m the decision of the superior court which changed physical custody of her minor child to Geral Cox, the father. I On February 2, 1980, Elizabeth Lee and Geral Cox were married. Their son, Derek *1360 Lee Cox, was born on August 16 of the same year. On February 14, 1984, they dissolved their marriage. The dissolution decree did not specifically address the primary physical cust…
On child custody, Elizabeth L. LEE, Appellant, v. Geral L. COX, Appellee speaks to the Alaska dispute in this passage: "Geral Cox, the father. I On February 2, 1980, Elizabeth Lee and Geral Cox were married. Their son, Derek *1360 Lee Cox, was born on August 16 of the same year. On February 14, 1984, they dissolved their marriage." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
James A. CRANE, Appellant, v. Logan P. CRANE, Appellee
James A. CRANE, Appellant, v. Logan P. CRANE, Appellee, 1999 Alas. LEXIS 120 (1999)
…INTRODUCTION This appeal arises from the incorporation of a custody and support agreement into a divorce decree. The agreement provided for joint legal and physical custody of the couple’s two minor children. The father moved to set aside the agreement, which the court denied. On appeal, the father contends the court erred by failing to conduct a “best interests of the children…
On child custody, James A. CRANE, Appellant, v. Logan P. CRANE, Appellee speaks to the Alaska dispute in this passage: "INTRODUCTION This appeal arises from the incorporation of a custody and support agreement into a divorce decree. The agreement provided for joint legal and physical custody of the couple’s two minor children. The father moved to set aside the agreement, which the court denied." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Kathleen Ann (Steffick), GARDING, Appellant, v. James E. GARDING, Appellee
…from an Alaska superior court decision modifying a Montana custody decree and awarding custody of their two minor children to James Garding (James). We reverse. Background. James Garding and Kathleen Garding Hardoin entered into a common-law marriage *184 in Helena, Montana, in 1980. Two children, Ellisha and Tyler, were born of the union. The couple separated in 1983, and Kat…
Kathleen Ann (Steffick), GARDING, Appellant, v. James E. GARDING, Appellee is worth reading on Alaska child custody because the court put the point in its own words: "Alaska superior court decision modifying a Montana custody decree and awarding custody of their two minor children to James Garding (James). We reverse. Background. James Garding and Kathleen Garding Hardoin entered into a common-law marriage *184 in Helena, Montana, in 1980." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
In the MATTER OF the ADOPTION OF HANNAH L., a Minor
In the MATTER OF the ADOPTION OF HANNAH L., a Minor, 2017 Alas. LEXIS 31 (2017)
…married in 2008. Tarrah and Brandon initially had no formal custody and visitation agreement. Brandon exercised frequent visits with Hannah by requesting time from Tarrah, who generally was accommodating. Brandon’s time with Hannah included overnight visits approximately every other weekend and other extended visits. According to Tarrah, Hannah began resisting visitation with B…
In the MATTER OF the ADOPTION OF HANNAH L., a Minor is worth reading on Alaska child custody because the court put the point in its own words: "Tarrah and Brandon initially had no formal custody and visitation agreement. Brandon exercised frequent visits with Hannah by requesting time from Tarrah, who generally was accommodating." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Frequently asked questions
What does Alaska call “custody”?
Legal custody and physical custody; parenting plans allocate decision-making and residential schedules.
Can I move out of state with my child?
A parent seeking to relocate with the child typically must show the move is in the child’s best interests under § 25.24.150 factors.
How do I change an existing custody order in Alaska?
A substantial change in circumstances is required before the court reopens a final custody decree.
This guide covers Alaska custody law as of 2026. Verify the live statute and any local parenting-time guidelines before relying on this summary.