How to modify child custody and parenting time in Alaska

Sources last checked 7 November 2026. Information only, not legal advice. This page rests on the text of Alaska Statute 25.20.110 (modification of child custody or visitation) as published by the Alaska Legislature, and on the Alaska Court System’s own motion form DR-705 and its instructions, DR-701. Alaska law speaks of “custody” and “visitation”, and the court forms call the arrangement a parenting plan. Read what we could not confirm below.

Alaska divorce kitChild custody in AlaskaModifying child support and spousal support in AlaskaAfter your divorce: changing a support or custody order

The short version

An Alaska custody or visitation award “may be modified” if the court finds that a change in circumstances requires the change and the change is in the child’s best interests (AS 25.20.110(a)). The court’s own form puts it in plainer words: it will not grant a change in the parenting plan unless there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order, and the change must also be in the children’s best interests. You ask by filing a motion in the case that produced the order, on form DR-705, signed before a notary or court clerk. For changing child support or spousal support instead, see modifying child support and spousal support in Alaska.

The two-part test

  • A change in circumstances. The statute requires that “a change in circumstances requires the modification of the award”. Form DR-701 describes this as a substantial change since the last order was entered. The statute does not define “substantial”, and we read no court opinion on it.
  • Best interests. The change must also be in the child’s best interests. Under AS 25.20.110(g) the court considers the factors in AS 25.24.150(c) and applies the rebuttable presumption in AS 25.24.150(g) about parents with a history of domestic violence.
  • Reasons on the record. If a parent opposes the change and the court grants it, the court “shall enter on the record its reason for the modification” (25.20.110(a)).
  • Child support history. The court considers each parent’s past compliance with support orders, but may count a parent’s failure to pay only if that parent knew the amount and had, or could reasonably have obtained, the funds (25.20.110(b)).
  • Domestic violence. A finding that a crime involving domestic violence has occurred since the last custody or visitation determination is itself a finding of changed circumstances (25.20.110(c)).

The best-interest factors, AS 25.24.150(c)

Form DR-701 reproduces the factors the court must consider. They are:

  • Needs and capability. The child’s physical, emotional, mental, religious and social needs, and each parent’s capability and desire to meet them.
  • Preference, love and affection. The child’s preference if the child is old enough and able to form one, and the love and affection between the child and each parent.
  • Stability. The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity.
  • Cooperation. Each parent’s willingness and ability to encourage a close and continuing relationship between the child and the other parent. The court may not consider this if one parent shows the other has sexually assaulted or committed domestic violence against a parent or child and that a continuing relationship would endanger someone’s health or safety.
  • Safety and substance abuse. Evidence of domestic violence, child abuse or neglect in the proposed custodial household or a history of violence between the parents, and evidence that substance abuse by a parent or household member directly affects the child’s well-being.
  • Other factors. Any other factors the court considers pertinent. The form adds that the court may consider only facts that directly affect the well-being of the child.

Military deployment

  • Not a change of circumstances by itself. Under 25.20.110(d), a parent’s temporary duty, mobilization or deployment and the resulting temporary disruption to the child’s schedule generally may not be a factor in finding a change of circumstances.
  • Temporary orders. The court may temporarily modify a custody or visitation order during a deployment. The order must say deployment is its basis, must provide for leave-time custody or visitation if that is in the child’s best interest, and must end with the permanent order resuming within 10 days after notification that the deployed parent can resume.
  • Burden and speed. The non-deployed parent bears the burden of proving that resuming the earlier order is no longer in the child’s best interest, and the court shall expedite a hearing on a motion by a parent subject to deployment.

How to ask: form DR-705 and what goes with it

  • The motion. Form DR-705, the motion to change the Alaska order about the parenting plan (custody) or child support, lets you ask for a change to the parenting plan, child support or both. List the court location, parties and case number exactly as shown on the original order.
  • Explain the change. The form asks you to explain in detail what changes you want and why, and whether the children’s actual schedule differs from the court’s most recent order.
  • Required attachments. The form lists your most recent order; a Child Custody Jurisdiction Affidavit (form DR-150); a Child Support Guidelines Affidavit (form DR-305) if support is involved; supporting documents; a Notice of Motion (form DR-710); and either the filing fee or a fee exemption request (form TF-920).
  • Notary. You sign under oath before a court clerk or notary. A clerk can notarize for free. If you cannot reach a notary, the form refers to a self-certification (form TF-835).
  • Child support follows the schedule. If the children’s schedule changes, the court is required to consider whether the child support order must also change.
  • Electronic filing. Where TrueFiling is available for your case type and court location, you must use it unless you are exempt.

What we could not confirm

  • What counts as substantial. We read no Alaska Supreme Court decision, so we cannot say which changes judges have found enough, or how they treat a parent’s relocation, a child’s growing older, or a change in a parent’s work schedule.
  • The full text of AS 25.24.150. We read the factors as reproduced in the court’s form DR-701, not the statute itself, and did not read the domestic violence presumption in subsections (g) to (k).
  • Relocation rules. We did not read AS 25.20.090 or other relocation provisions, and cannot say when a move requires notice or court approval.
  • The filing fee. The form points to Administrative Rule 9(b)(11). We did not read it, so we give no amount.
  • Service and hearing deadlines. We did not read the service instructions or the local rules, so we give no deadlines.
  • Mediation and other steps. We did not confirm whether your court requires mediation, a parenting class or a custody investigation before a hearing.

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