Shared parenting law long overdue

The law passed by the Commonwealth this year, known as the shared parenting law, creates a presumption that joint custody and equally shared parenting time is in the best interest of a child.

This is long overdue.

We obviously know that divorce is a reality of our society. We wish it wasn't, but it is. In these circumstances, when the custody of children is involved, it is critically important a child's interest be put first. Along the way, as these family cases make their way through the system, tough decisions have to be made. In our view there is none more important than making sure the well-being of children of divorce are the first priority, and starting from the baseline that a child benefits from being with both parents — with mutual input on decisions — is obvious to us.

Of course there are exceptions. If one of the parents is a drug addict, reckless or abusive, the law provides for leeway. Matt Hale is the Kentucky chairman of the National Parents Organization. He said the new law defines 11 factors that would negate the presumption, including a parent’s drug addiction or history of domestic violence.