Connecticut parents support new child custody procedures
During the height of COVID disruptions in 2020, Chief Administrative Judge Michael A. Albis reformed Connecticut’s Family Court system through his bold Triage & Pathways Initiative. Key provisions of the new approach, early intervention by Family Relations and new court procedures taking effect October 1, 2021 (per Public Act 21-104) allow two fit parents satisfying certain conditions to take charge of their parenting plan without hiring lawyers, filing any motions, or arguing in front of a judge.
Mediation through Family Relations or a mediator the parents select is now encouraged by Triage and Pathways. Judge Albis’ own words explain:
This approach promotes cooperative child-centered solutions rather than adversarial litigation, which often discourages separated parents from focusing on raising their children. Triage & Pathways procedures encourage parents to learn about co-parenting and parallel parenting their children in split households. Parents can use the money they might pay to lawyers and court ordered professionals – usually $15,000 and often much, much more – to benefit their children.
National Parents Organization (sharedparenting.org), together with the Shared Parenting Council of Connecticut (sharedparentinginc.org), commissioned a survey of the views of Connecticut citizens on the parenting of children from separate households. The survey, which was conducted by the well-respected, independent polling company, Researchscape International in late summer 2021, revealed a stunning consensus: strong support for Triage & Pathways and for shared parenting as the norm when parents live apart.
When asked whether children are best served by procedures that allow them to develop a “parenting plan without hiring lawyers, filing any motions, or arguing in front of a judge,” 80% of both men and women said “yes.” Should a child have a significant amount of time with each fit and willing parent? Over 95% say this arrangement is extremely or very beneficial!