Alaska family-law guide · reviewed August 22, 2026
Alaska Legal Custody, Physical Custody & Visitation
Current, source-linked Alaska terminology and rules without imported out-of-state formulas.
Legal information, not legal advice. Alaska law and local practice can change. Verify forms, fees, filing methods, service, and hearing procedure with the Superior Court receiving your case.
Alaska terminology
Legal custody
Sole or joint — major decisions about the child.
Physical custody
Sole, joint, or shared — where the child lives.
Visitation
The scheduled time with the non-custodial parent.
Superior Court
Where Alaska family cases are heard.
Core rules
- Alaska uses 'legal custody', 'physical custody', and 'visitation'
- The court decides based on the child's best interests (AS 25.24.150)
- Alaska has a preference for joint legal custody regardless of the physical custody arrangement
- A parent with a history of domestic violence is presumed not to be awarded any custody type (AS 25.24.150)
- Cases are heard in the Alaska Superior Court
Support and modification cautions
Alaska uses a percentage-of-income model under Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 — child support is a fixed percentage of the obligor's adjusted annual income (20% one child, 27% two, 33% three, +3% each additional). Shared custody (110+ overnights) uses a separate DR-306 calculation. A 15% change in income is presumed a material change for modification.
Official sources reviewed August 22, 2026
- AS 25.24.150 — custody and best interests
- Alaska Court System — family law forms
- Alaska Court Self-Help
Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the Superior Court clerk handling your case.