Custody issues are always decided with a child’s best interests in mind, and that doesn’t change in a legal separation. Arizona family law judges don’t have a preference between mothers and fathers, and try to have the child spend equal amounts of time with both. The judge will look at several other factors, like the parents’ relationship with the child, the child’s special needs, any physical or mental health issues in either parent, the child’s relationship with each parent’s household members, the child’s adjustment to a new environment and community, and more. Except for when the child is in danger, custody can only be modified after 12 months have passed since the last orders.