To:

North Carolina General Assembly, Senate Rules and Operations Committee, and the Governor of North Carolina

Petition Statement:

We, the undersigned, respectfully urge North Carolina lawmakers to immediately advance and pass Senate Bill 162 — Shared Parenting.

This bill is a critical step toward ensuring that children across our state have the opportunity to maintain strong, meaningful relationships with both parents.

The Issue:

Right now in North Carolina, child custody decisions often result in one parent being significantly limited in their role—despite being loving, capable, and actively involved.

The current system does not start from a place of fairness.

Instead, parents are forced into expensive, stressful legal battles just to remain present in their children’s lives.

Meanwhile, children are the ones who suffer the most.

They lose time.

They lose stability.

And in many cases, they lose a meaningful relationship with one of their parents.

What SB 162 Does:

Senate Bill 162 establishes a rebuttable presumption of joint custody and shared parenting, meaning courts would begin with the assumption that children should spend as close to equal time as possible with both parents—unless evidence shows otherwise.

This does NOT eliminate judicial discretion.

It simply ensures that:

✅️ Both parents start on equal footing

✅️ Children benefit from both parents whenever it is safe

✅️ Courts have a structured, child-focused framework for custody decisions.

Why This Matters:

✔ Children Thrive With Both Parents

Research consistently shows that children do better emotionally, academically, and socially when both parents remain actively involved in their lives.

✔ Fairness in the Court System

SB 162 creates a fair starting point—rather than forcing one parent to “fight” for time with their own child.

✔ Reduces Conflict and Litigation

When expectations are clear from the start, families spend less time in court and more time focusing on their children.

✔ Protects Children’s Best Interests

The bill still allows courts to deviate from shared parenting when there are concerns such as abuse or safety risks.

The Reality:

Children don’t experience life in legal arguments—they experience it in time.

Time with their parents.

Time building memories.

Time feeling supported.

When that time is taken away or unevenly distributed without good reason, it has lifelong consequences.

North Carolina families deserve better.

What We Are Asking:

We call on the Senate Rules and Operations Committee to:

✅️ Schedule SB 162 for a hearing immediately

✅️ Move the bill forward for a full vote

✅️ Pass SB 162 into law without delay

Our Message to Lawmakers:

Children deserve both parents.

Not sometimes. Not when convenient.

But as a starting point—always—unless proven otherwise.

Call to Action:

By signing this petition, we stand together to demand fairness, accountability, and a system that truly prioritizes the best interests of children.

It’s time for North Carolina to modernize its custody laws.

It’s time for shared parenting.