Shared Parenting.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 162

Short Title: Shared Parenting. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Hanig and Jones (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
February 26, 2025
*S162-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PRESUMPTION OF JOI NT CUSTODY AND SHARE D 2
PARENTING. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1. G.S. 50-13.01 reads as rewritten: 5
"§ 50-13.01. Purposes. 6
It is the policy of the State of North Carolina to: 7
… 8
(6) Encourage parental agreements that establish joint custody and shared 9
parenting arrangements under which the child spends as close as possible to 10
an equal amount of time with each parent." 11
SECTION 2. G.S. 50-13.1 reads as rewritten: 12
"§ 50-13.1. Action or proceeding for custody of minor child. 13
… 14
(b) Whenever it appears to the court, from the pleadings or otherwise, that an action 15
involves a contested issue as to the custody or visitation of a minor child, the matter, where there 16
is a pro gram established pursuant to G.S. 7A-494, shall be set for mediation of the unresolved 17
issues as to custody and visitation before or concurrent with the setting of the matter for hearing 18
unless the court waives mediation pursuant to subsection (c). Issues that arise in motions for 19
modifications as well as in other pleadings shall be set for mediation unless the court waives 20
mediation pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. Custody or visitation issues that arise in 21
motions for contempt or motions to show cause may be set for mediation. Alimony, child support, 22
and other economic issues may not be referred for mediation pursuant to this section. The 23
purposes of mediation under this section include the pursuit of the following goals: 24
(1) To reduce any acrimony that exists between the parties to a dispute involving 25
custody or visitation of a minor child; 26
(2) The development of custody and visitation agreements that are in the child's 27
best interest;interest and equalize to the greatest extent possible the amount of 28
time the child spends with each parent, giving due consideration to the 29
relevant shared parenting factors of G.S. 50-13.2(a1); 30
…." 31
SECTION 3. G.S. 50-13.2 reads as rewritten: 32
"§ 50-13.2. Who entitled to custody; presumption of shared parenting; terms of custody; 33
visitation rights of grandparents; taking child out of State; consideration of 34
parent's military service. 35
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 162-First Edition
(a) An order for custody of a minor child entered pursuant to this section shall award the 1
custody of such child to such person, agency, organization or institution as will best promote the 2
interest and welfare of the child. In making the determination, the court shall consider all relevant 3
factors including acts of domestic violence between the parties, the safety of the child, and the 4
safety of either party from domestic violence by the other party. An order for custody must 5
include written findings of fact that reflect the consideration of each of these factors and that 6
support the determination of what is in the best interest of the child. Between the parents, whether 7
natural or adoptive, no presumption shall apply as to who will better promote the interest and 8
welfare of the child. Joint custody to the parents shall be considered upon the request of either 9
parent. 10
(a1) There exists a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and shared parenting is in the 11
best interest of the child. For purposes of this section, "shared parenting" means the child spends 12
as close as possible to an equal amount of time with each parent. In determini ng the terms of a 13
shared parenting schedule, the court shall consider all of the following relevant factors: 14
(1) The wishes of the child's parent or parents as to his or her custody. 15
(2) The wishes of the child as to his or her custody, with due consideration given 16
to the influence a parent or other custodian may have over the child's wishes. 17
(3) The interaction and interrelationship of the child with his or her parent or 18
parents, his or her siblings, and any other person who may significantly affect 19
the child's best interests. 20
(4) The motivations of the adults participating in the custody proceeding. 21
(5) The child's adjustment and continuing proximity to his or her home, school, 22
and community. 23
(6) The physical and mental health of all individuals involved. 24
(7) A finding by the court that an act of domestic violence has been committed by 25
one of the parties against a child of the party or any other parties. The court 26
shall further determine the extent to which the domestic violence and abuse 27
has affected the child and the child 's relationship to each party, with 28
consideration given to efforts made by a part y toward completion of any 29
domestic violence treatment, counseling, or program. 30
(8) The extent to which the child has been cared for, nurtured, and financially 31
supported by any party. 32
(9) The intent of the parent or parents in placing a child with another person, 33
agency, organization, or institution. 34
(10) The circumstances under which a child was placed or allowed to remain with 35
another person, agency , organization , or institution, including whether a 36
parent seeking custody was previously prevented from doing so as a result of 37
an act of domestic violence, or whether the child was placed with another 38
person, agency, organization , or institution to allow the parent now seeking 39
custody to seek employment, work, or attend school. 40
(11) The likelihood that a party will allow the child frequent, meaningful, and 41
continuing contact with the other parent, unless the court finds that a 42
continuing relationship with the other parent will endanger the health and 43
safety of the child. 44
(a2) The presumption that joint custody and shared parenting is in the best interest of the 45
child may be rebutted if one or more of the following conditions exist: 46
(1) The court, after consideration of relevant factors under subsection (a1) of this 47
section, finds by clear and convincing evidence that shared parenting and joint 48
custody is not in the best interest of the child. 49
(2) The parties have reached an agreement on all issues related to custody of the 50
child. 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 162-First Edition Page 3
(3) One of the parties does not request sole, primary, or joint custody. 1
(b) An order for custody of a minor child may grant joint custody to the parents, exclusive 2
custody to one person, agency, organization, or institution, or gr ant custody to two or more 3
persons, agencies, organizations, or institutions. institutions in accordance with subsections (a) 4
and (a1) of this section. Any order for custody shall include such terms, including visitation, as 5
will best promote the interest and welfare of the child. If the court finds that domestic violence 6
has occurred, the court shall enter such orders that best protect the children and party who were 7
the victims of domestic violence, in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 50B-3(a1)(1), (2), 8
and (3). If a party is absent or relocates with or without the children because of an act of domestic 9
violence, the absence or relocation shall not be a factor that weighs against the party in 10
determining custody or visitation. Absent an order of the court to the contrary, each parent shall 11
have equal access to the records of the minor child involving the health, education, and welfare 12
of the child. 13
…." 14
SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law. 15