PATTERNS OF RELITIGATION IN THE POSTDIVORCE FAMILY

This study examines child-related, postdivorce litigation in families with young children. We explore who relitigates, how often, when, and around what issues. We examine the relationship between relitigation a nd custodial status and parental gender. Legal records of 700 divorced families with young children and 700 couples without children are rev iewed. Data reveal a high relitigation rate, particularly among parent s. Support issues were relitigated more frequently than were visitatio n and custody issues. Differences between joint and sole legal custody families and between mothers and fathers are noted and explored. Five main areas related to relitigation-interparental conflict, the legal system, resources, child-related issues, and family characteristics-ar e presented and discussed.