Child custody; modification of order authorized if material change of circumstances and modification is in best interest of the child, factors provided

SB 261 establishes a new standard for modifying child custody orders in Alabama, requiring courts to find both a material change in circumstances and that the modification is in the child's best interest. It replaces common law rules with a two-part test and specifies 10 factors courts must consider, including the child's emotional/physical needs, parental capacity to meet those needs, stability of home environments, and evidence of domestic violence or substance abuse. The law applies to all custody arrangements (sole, primary, or joint) and explicitly prohibits requiring parents to prove modifications outweigh environmental disruption. This bill directly affects parents seeking custody changes and courts handling such cases, effective October 1, 2026.