SB 162

Amends various sections of GS Chapter 50 to establish the presumption of joint custody and shared parenting arrangements as in the best interests of a child. Amends GS 50-13.01 (Purposes) to add new subsection (6), making it State policy to encourage parental agreements and joint/shared custody arrangements where a child spends equal time with each parent. Amends GS 50-13.1 (Action or proceeding for custody of minor child), subsection (b)(2), to add to the mediation goals the development of a custody and visitation agreement that equalizes to the greatest extent possible the amount of time a child spends with each parent. Amends GS 50-13.2 to add “presumption of shared parenting” to the title, and to add new subsection (a1), creating a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and shared parenting is in the best interest of the child, along with eleven relevant factors for the court to consider when preparing a shared parenting schedule. Also adds new subsection (a2), outlining conditions that will rebut the presumption that shared parenting is in the child’s best interest, and makes clarifying changes to subsection (b).