Petition to Reform Maryland Child Custody Laws
Establish Presumptive 50/50 Custody, Address False Allegations, Abolish Parental Alienation Practices, and Strengthen Co-Parenting
To:
The Maryland General Assembly, the Governor of Maryland, the Maryland Judiciary, and the Maryland Department of Human Services

 
Introduction
We, the undersigned residents and supporters of Maryland families, respectfully petition for comprehensive reform of Maryland family law to better serve the best interests of children. Current custody practices too often lead to unnecessary conflict, prolonged litigation, and outcomes that deprive children of meaningful relationships with both parents.

Children benefit most when they are raised by two actively involved parents in safe, loving environments. Maryland law should reflect modern social science, fairness, and the fundamental rights of children to maintain strong bonds with both parents.

 
1. Establish Automatic Presumptive 50/50 Physical and Legal Custody
We petition Maryland to adopt a rebuttable presumption of equal (50/50) physical and legal custody in all custody cases involving fit parents.

Rationale:
Extensive research shows that children generally thrive when both parents are equally involved.
Equal custody reduces litigation, hostility, and incentives to “win” custody battles.
Presumptive 50/50 custody promotes fairness, gender neutrality, and parental responsibility.
Proposed Standard:
Courts shall begin with a presumption of equal parenting time and shared decision-making.
This presumption may only be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence of abuse, neglect, or other serious harm to the child.
Lifestyle differences, income disparities, or parental gender shall not be used to deny equal custody.
 
2. Address and Deter False Allegations in Custody Proceedings
False allegations of abuse or neglect undermine the integrity of the court system and cause lasting harm to children and families.

We Petition for:
Mandatory evidentiary hearings for abuse allegations before custody restrictions are imposed.
Penalties for knowingly false or malicious allegations, including sanctions, custody consequences, or referral for prosecution when appropriate.
Protection for children from being used as leverage in custody disputes.
Purpose:
To ensure genuine abuse claims are taken seriously while preventing misuse of the system.
To reduce unnecessary trauma to children and falsely accused parents.
 
3. Abolish Court-Endorsed Parental Alienation Practices
We call for the elimination of court practices that enable or ignore parental alienation, which occurs when one parent deliberately interferes with the child’s relationship with the other parent.

We Request:
Recognition that parental alienation is a form of emotional harm to children.
Prohibition of custody arrangements that reward alienating behavior.
Swift court intervention when alienation is identified, including corrective parenting plans.
Guiding Principle:
Children have a fundamental right to love and be loved by both parents without manipulation, coercion, or interference.

 
4. Strengthen Co-Parenting and Reduce Conflict
Maryland law should prioritize cooperation, accountability, and shared responsibility.

Proposed Reforms:
Mandatory co-parenting education for all separating parents.
Increased use of parenting coordinators focused on conflict resolution, not punishment.
Enforcement mechanisms for parenting time violations that are timely and effective.
Goal:
To shift the family court system from adversarial conflict toward collaborative parenting solutions that prioritize children’s long-term well-being.

 
Conclusion
Maryland’s children deserve a family law system that is fair, evidence-based, and child-centered. Establishing presumptive 50/50 custody, deterring false allegations, eliminating parental alienation, and strengthening co-parenting will reduce harm, restore balance, and protect the emotional health of children.

We respectfully urge Maryland lawmakers and judicial leaders to enact these reforms and modernize family law to reflect the realities and needs of today’s families.

 
Signatures
Name: ________________________________
Address/City: _________________________
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ________________________________