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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate2025-02-26

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill establishes a legal presumption that joint custody and roughly equal shared parenting time is in a child's best interest in North Carolina custody cases. The presumption can be overruled if a court finds by clear and convincing evidence that shared parenting is not in the child's best interest, or if both parents agree to a different arrangement.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that children benefit from meaningful relationships with both parents and that equal parenting time promotes this goal.
• •They contend the presumption encourages parents to cooperate and reach fair agreements, reduces court disputes, and reflects modern family dynamics where both parents are actively involved in children's lives.
• •Proponents also note the presumption protects against gender bias in custody decisions.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents worry that a presumption favoring equal time may not account for individual family circumstances, such as a child's special needs, parents' work schedules, or significant distances between homes.
• •They argue the standard could pressure families into arrangements that aren't practical and may prioritize equal time over what actually serves the child's wellbeing.
• •Concerns also exist about whether courts can adequately consider domestic violence factors or override the presumption in cases where equal sharing is unsafe or unworkable.