Reforming Family Court

NPO supports volunteer advocates in states across the country to reform outdated child custody laws that are not in the best interest of children.

Compelling scientific research shows that shared parenting is best for children.

 

National Parents Organization is committed to reforming the norms of parenting when parents live apart. Children flourish when they have two loving parents who are both fully involved in their day-to-day activities.

In order to provide children of separated parents with the benefits both parents can provide, NPO develops state chapters to educate legislators about the value of legislative changes to promote shared parenting and to educate judges and other divorce professionals about the importance of court rules and practices in promoting children’s well-being.

Leaders of the state NPO chapters meet with legislators, conduct judicial candidate forums, arrange public events such as screenings of relevant documentary films, and more.

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

  • NPO has been the main driver of, or substantially contributed to, the passage of equal shared parenting laws in all five states (Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, Florida, and Missouri) that currently have a rebuttable presumption of shared parenting.

  • NPO has chapters in 26 states, working to change laws and court rules to promote shared parenting.

  • NPO has commissioned independent polling in 25 states showing overwhelming support for shared parenting, which our chapters have used to push for legislative changes.

  • Publication of the 2023 NPO Ohio Parenting Time Report showed continuing progress in Ohio courts toward shared parenting schedules. Every Ohio court that has changed its rules since the publication of the original 2018 NPO Parenting Time Report has improved its rule.

“For the last 10 years with help of organizations like NPO, parents like me, have worked against continuous opposition to reform the Hawaii Family Court away from the adversarial model toward a collaborative one.

We need family courts that respect the importance of frequent, continuing and meaningful parenting time with both parents. Effective parenting needs to have a sufficient quantity to achieve quality.”

— Chris Lethem | Hawaii Affiliate Chair