My son will enter a custody court this afternoon on behalf of his two young sons, ages 6 and 8. I know years ago, the decision was almost automatically in favor of the mother, no matter what her status. Just wondering in general, how the courts usually stand today.

Family courts are much more willing to give father's custody. But all things being equal, the mother still gets preference.

Joint custody is more common today, a father getting sole custody is much harder. The mother still gets preference. In most cases it is always best for the mother and father to reach an agreement out of court