Kentucky Shared Parenting Law, House Bill 492, Establishing Temporary 50/50 Joint Custody, was Passed in 2021
Kentucky House Bill 492 was introduced in 2017 to establish a temporary joint custody of the children of a divorce, with a presumption of equal parenting time, as long as each parent files an affidavit requesting their portion, and as long as there is no abuse or neglect involved. The law went into effect July 1, 2021 after unanimously receiving the favorable vote of the House and Senate, and receiving the Governor’s signature in April, 2021.
Bill 492 was important in Kentucky for changing the initial assumption that there would a primary custodial parent of the children until the matters of custody and visitation could be settled the divorce case. Therefore the other parent would not have previously had initial 50/50 custody. However, although the initial assumption of 50/50 custody is important in now being established for Kentucky, the final determinations of custody and visitation do still have to be decided through the usual divorce proceedings.
The Role of Child Custody Attorneys in Kentucky
Matters of custody are stressful for everyone involved, and the ultimate goal of the parents, as well as the counsel for both, should be to ensure the greatest care, protection and support for the children, when there are children involved. Each parent should engage the counsel of thoroughly experienced Family Law attorneys to provide the best opportunity for fair and healthy care of the children. The key aspects of custody in a divorce usually involve the following:
- Physical Custody vs. Legal Custody
- How Child Custody is Decided in Kentucky
- Visitation Issues with Sole Custody in Kentucky
- Visitation Problems with Joint Custody in Kentucky
In Hardin County, rely on the attorneys of Musselwhite, Meinhart, Staples & Hafley with decades of Family Law experience, and with offices in Radcliff and Elizabethtown. Call (270) 351-6032 for a free initial consult to discuss your situation and learn about your options.