Many states are adopting joint custody legislation to support continued relationships between children of parental divorce and both of their biological parents. This study examined the effects of joint versus maternal legal custody, whether or not the stepfather had biological children from a prior marriage, and the sex and age of an adolescent on the custodial mother's remarriage. Middle class remarried mothers (N=84) and their husbands each completed a questionnaire measuring marital satisfaction; competition between the father and stepfather; role ambiguity for the stepfather role; and the mother's relationship with her ex-spouse. The findings revealed that marital satisfaction was highest for couples with girls in joint custody. Mothers of early adolescent daughters reported better relations with ex-spouses than did mothers of later adolescent daughters; no difference was reported for sons. Stepfathers with no prior children reported more competition with the biological father than did stepfathers with biological children. Couples in joint custody arrangements with stepfathers who had no prior children reported the most role ambiguity. The results suggest that custody decisions made at the time of divorce can have an impact on subsequent remarriage, and that stepfamilies need help in creating roles for stepparents that complement biological parents' roles. (Author/NB)