[RGSpincich]

Further, joint legal custody is normally awarded if they both show up and ask for it (married or not) , it is no indication of the fitness of either parent. Custodial and visitation issues are more complex and the courts often require evaluation, investigation and psychological examinations if the parents are battling.
Marital cases are only different in that there are property settlements to consider in addition to the child issues. Biforcation is often used to seperate marital status and child custody issues from property issues.

[RGSpincich]

Biforcation is often used

Make that sometimes used, it doesn't happen often.