A review of the literature on custody and visitation reveals many contradictory opinions, little empirical evidence and lack of a conceptual framework for assessing issues. An exploratory study is reported in which 99 custodial parents, 71 noncustodial parents and 70 children of divorce expressed their opinions on custody and visitation. The data revealed two clear needs of the children: a stable and supportive developmental context, and continuing attachment bonds with both parents and siblings. These needs seemed to have been met reasonably well for these subjects, most of whom were from single parent custody situations. The way in which they were met appears to be through continuing conflict between the parents, with custodial parents defending the first need and non-custodial parents fighting for the second. It is suggested that successful single parent custody follows a conflict model, that split custody might be a parallel model and joint custody a cooperation model. This framework appears fruitful for further empirical exploration of the nature of successful post-divorce family relationships. (Author/BH)