Arkansas

Negatives:

• Arkansas is one of only 9 states lacking a presumptive parenting time adjustment formula; instead it relies on unnecessarily costly and lengthy court deviation procedures generally inaccessible to lower income parents. The lack of a presumptive PTA as an integral component of mandated presumptive child support guidelines arguably violates federal regulatory requirements.

Poll conducted in partnership with Arkansas Advocates for Parental Equality

Highlights:

In instances of divorce or separation:

• 95% of those in Arkansas believe "it is in the child's best interest ... to have as much time as possible with each parent;"

• 95% of those in Arkansas expressed a commitment to vote their beliefs being "more likely to vote for a candidate who supports children spending equal or nearly equal time with each parent ...when both parents are fit and willing to be parents."

• 87% of those in Arkansas indicated they would support a change in Arkansas law that awards children as much time as possible with each parent.

• 78% believe that when there is conflict between parents, awarding sole custody to one parent increases conflict.

• 90% believe that Arkansas should promote shared parenting for all children with separated parents.

• 92% believe that both parents should have equal rights and responsibilities following divorce or separation.