Kentucky Shared Parenting Law

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January 10, 2020

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March 16, 2020

FAQ on Shared Parenting Law

1Why Was The Statute Modified?

The modification was passed in hopes of decreasing conflict and litigation regarding custody and visitation.

2What Do Proponents Say?

Proponents of the law point to the disparity in custody awards as proof that the previous best–interests of the child standard was not working. They claim it was biased in favor of mothers.

Proponents of shared parenting assert that when cases go before the judge, an efficient and equitable starting point is for each parent to be presumed to be entitled to equal legal and physical custody. They believe that starting with that presumption protects parents from bias and unrestrained judicial discretion while increasing the well–being of the child.

3What do Opponents Say?

Opponents of the change claim that it is not necessary, may work a detriment to children and will not be followed long term. They argue that most family law disputes settle prior to going to trial. (90% of cases do settle.) The remaining 10% of cases are cases in which the parents could not reach an agreement and are more likely to involve high–conflict parents.

Opponents point to research which identifies some types of families in which shared parenting may be of particular concern (or even detrimental) to child welfare. These families include those with high–conflict parents, families in which domestic violence has occurred, and families with a special needs child. (See: Angela Marie Caulley, Equal Isn’t Always Equitable: Reforming the Use of Joint Custody Presumptions in Judicial Child Custody Determinations, 27 B.U. Pub. Int. L.J. 403, 448 (2018).)

Finally, opponents cite the lack of durability of shared parenting arrangements. Pointing to a recent study which found that after four to five years only 49% of shared custody arrangements endured and for high–conflict families, durability statistics were even worse, with only 27% continuing shared custody.

4What Does The Research Say?

Some research claims that children do best, and their outcomes improve, when they have two parents actively involved in their lives.

Studies have found that child adjustment is most positively affected when the child has a chance to interact regularly with each parent in typical day–to–day settings like meal time, hygiene, play, discipline, and bed–time.

Based on this research, proponents of equal parenting time claim that increasing the amount of contact with both parents will increase the opportunity for quality interactions.

Most research supports that it is the quality of parenting time, not the quantity that is most important. Despite the weight of the research pointing to the quality of the parenting time over quantity, proponents insist that most children would be best served by parents with equal parenting time.

5Is Equal Time Mandatory?

This modification has been in place since the middle of 2018. Cases have been heard, orders entered and reviewed on appeal. There is now clarification that while there is a presumption, joint custody and equal timesharing is not mandatory in all cases.

There are circumstances where the factors surrounding the parties are sufficient to overcome the burden of showing that joint custody and equal parenting time would seriously endanger the physical, mental, moral or emotional health of the parties’ minor child.

Prior Version of the Law (KRS 403.270 )

Prior to the passing of H.B. 528 and its modifications the law read (in part) as follows: The court shall determine custody in accordance with the best interests of the child and equal consideration shall be given to each parent and to any de facto custodian and went on to list nine (9) factors the court would include in its analysis. Those factors for determining custody were:

The wishes of the child's parent or parents, and any de facto custodian, as to his custody
The wishes of the child as to his custodian
The interaction and interrelationship of the child with his parent or parents, his siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect the child's best interests
The child's adjustment to his home, school, and community
The mental and physical health of all individuals involved
Information, records, and evidence of domestic violence as defined in KRS 403.720
The extent to which the child has been cared for, nurtured, and supported by any de facto custodian
The intent of the parent or parents in placing the child with a de facto custodian
The circumstances under which the child was placed or allowed to remain in the custody of a de facto custodian, including whether the parent now seeking custody was previously prevented from doing so as a result of domestic violence as defined in KRS 403.720 and whether the child was placed with a de facto custodian to allow the parent now seeking custody to seek employment, work, or attend school.

The Current Statute

After the passing of H.B. 528, the current statute (KRS 403.270) reads:

The newer version adds the rebuttable presumption that joint custody and equal parenting time serve the best interest of the minor child.

Additionally, the factors to be considered by the court have also changed drastically, including two (2) new factors not included in the prior version:

The motivation of the adults participating in the custody proceeding
The likelihood a party will allow the child frequent, meaningful, and continuing contact with the other parent or de facto custodian, except that the court shall not consider this likelihood if there is a finding that the other parent or de facto custodian engaged in domestic violence and abuse, as defined in KRS 403.720, against the party or a child and that a continuing relationship with the other parent will endanger the health or safety of either that party or the child.

Several factors that were present in the earlier law have been modified to be applied different. For instance: the child’s wishes regarding his/her custodian.

The newer version requires the Court to give consideration to any undue influence by a parent or de facto custodian may be asserting on the child’s wishes. Before, a Family Court Judge previously included the child’s wishes in their custodial decision. Now they are required to investigate whether the child’s wishes are a result of improper influence in both custodial and timeshare decisions.

Moving Forward With The Presumption Of Equal

It is critical for attorneys and parents to understand the changes to Kentucky’s domestic relations laws. For some, the presumption for joint custody and equal parenting time will decrease conflict and help achieve a positive outcome for parents and, most importantly, children.

However, equal parenting is not in the best interest of children in every case. In those cases, it is important to have an attorney that understands what is required to overcome the presumption of equal. Divorcing parents will want to select an attorney who makes a point to stay up to date on rulings from judges regarding what factors and specific circumstances are necessary to meet the burden of overcoming the presumption.