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Joint Child Custody and Interstate Migration

Author

Listed:
  • Abi Adams
  • Oguz Bayraktar
  • Thomas H. Jorgensen
  • Hamish W. Low
  • Alessandra Voena

Abstract

Joint custody following divorce is widespread, yet the implementation of joint custody is costly when individuals live in different states, so it affects interstate mobility. Migration of divorced fathers has fallen significantly more than that of married fathers. We show the causal effect of joint custody using two strategies. First, we survey divorced parents to elicit beliefs about the likelihood of interstate moves. Second, we use the staggered adoption of joint custody laws across U.S. states, and show a reduction in actual migration of 11 percentage points for fathers. For mothers, there is no impact on mobility from the adoption of joint custody, though there is suggestive evidence of beneficial labor market outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Abi Adams & Oguz Bayraktar & Thomas H. Jorgensen & Hamish W. Low & Alessandra Voena, 2025. "Joint Child Custody and Interstate Migration," Working Paper Series WP 2025-25, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedhwp:102276
    DOI: 10.21033/wp-2025-25
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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