Fifty-fifty custody is gaining momentum throughout the country. More states continue to enact legislation that presumes equal parenting is in the children’s best interests.
Previously, fifty-fifty custody was not the norm. In most states, it was presumed that children needed to be in one home predominantly. The viewpoint was that children going back and forth was not healthy and productive.
However, more states are enacting equal parenting legislation. Florida is a recent example: In 2023, Governor DeSantis signed legislation presuming that fifty-fifty custody is in the child’s best interest in Florida.
The Florida House passed the legislation by a vote of 105-7, and the Senate passed it by 34-3. The legislation’s sweeping nature shows broad bipartisan support on this topic.
If a parent moves more than 50 miles away in Florida, a court can consider a modification. However, modification is difficult, and that is not the case.
According to research, a substantial justification for shared parenting legislation is that kids do better when they spend substantial time with both parents. Where both parents have significant time, both parents have skin in the game and stay involved.
Staying involved is contrary to how it was when one parent would often get to see the kids just on weekends and in the summer after a divorce or paternity case while paying vast child support. While some may still not agree with fifty-fifty custody being a presumption, legislation like the one in Florida is sweeping the nation.