Alternate Custody Granted for a One-Year-Old Child

My law firm recently obtained, before the Judicial Court of Nanterre, an order for alternate (shared 50/50) custody for a child aged one year, even though the mother was fiercely opposed to the arrangement. The father demonstrated his active daily involvement, strong parenting capacities, and complete availability. Consequently, there was no objective obstacle preventing the child from benefiting equitably from both parents.

More broadly, alternate custody has established itself as the favored custody model following parental separation. This choice has become the default solution in principle for many Family Affairs Judges.

Once perceived as an exception, shared custody tends today to become widespread, including for very young, preschool-age children. This phenomenon reflects evolving societal perspectives and the judicial determination to preserve the active involvement of both parents in the child's life.

Nevertheless, alternate custody requires suitable material conditions, such as geographical proximity between homes and genuine parental availability. With the best interests of the child remaining the paramount consideration, the judge evaluates each case individually.