offered by
Probate and Family Court
Massachusetts Court System
related to
Child Support
Family Matters in the Courts
Caring for Children

Child Custody and Parenting Time

Learn about the types of child custody and parenting time orders, who can file for child custody, and how to file or change child custody orders.

When parents are separating, they may disagree about issues regarding their child. When the child is under 18, one or both parents can ask the court to make decisions for them by getting a court order for child custody or parenting time. For information about custody when you're not a parent, please see Guardianship of Minors.

What would you like to do?

Top tasks

Filing for child custody or parenting time in Massachusetts 
Request an immediate child custody or parenting time order 

All other tasks

Request to change a child custody or parenting time order 

What you need to know

Find out who can file for child custody 
Learn about how child custody or parenting time is decided 
Learn about the types of child custody arrangements  
Child custody and parenting time options when you’ve been abused 
Massachusetts law about child custody and parenting time 
Court forms for custody modifications 
See all 8 of What you need to know 

Contact Information

Online

Probate and Family Court locations 

Locations

A list of court locations where you can file for child custody and parenting time

Find court locations

Related Services

Additional Resources

Guide on the disclosure of confidential information
Massachusetts law about grandparents' visitation rights
Feedback