PENNSYLVANIA
NPO AFFILIATE | PA
STATE CHAIR: Stephen Meehan
Highlights:
In instances of divorce or separation:
94% of those in Pennsylvania believe it is in the child’s best interest to have as much time as possible with each parent.
91% in Pennsylvania expressed a commitment to vote their beliefs in being “more likely to vote for a candidate who supports children spending equal or nearly equal time with each parent following separation or divorce when both parents are fit and willing to be parents.
85% of those in Pennsylvania indicated they would support a change in Pennsylvania law that awards children as much time as possible with each parent.
78% believe that when there is conflict between parents, awarding sole custody to one parent increases conflict
94% believe that both parents should have equal rights and responsibilities following divorce or separation.
91% believe that Pennsylvania should promote shared parenting for all children with separated parents.
2022 NPO Child Support and Shared Parenting Shared Parenting Report Card
WHY DID PENNSYLVANIA RECEIVE AN F+?
POSITIVES:
None
NEGATIVES:
Pennsylvania's PTA has an extraordinarily and unjustifiably high threshold of 146 days.
Pennsylvania's PTA has a large discontinuity (or discontinuities), creating a large cliff effect or multiple cliff effects.
Pennsylvania's PTA underestimates the fixed, duplicated costs involved in shared parenting.
Pennsylvania's PTA does not take into account the effect on the payer parent's household.
Pennsylvania's PTA inappropriately results in a presumptive child support payment when parental income and parenting time are equal.
2019 NPO Shared Parenting Report Card
WHY DID PENNSYLVANIA RECEIVE A D?
POSITIVES:
Pennsylvania statutes list a “friendly parent” factor as the first factor in determining the best interest of a child with respect to a custody determination. Pennsylvania courts are required to consider “Which party is more likely to encourage and permit frequent and continuing contact between the child and an- other party.” 23 PA. C. S. A. §5327
NEGATIVES:
Pennsylvania has no statutory preference for, or presumption of, shared parenting (joint legal custody and shared physical custody) for temporary or final orders.
Pennsylvania statutes do not explicitly provide for shared parenting during temporary orders.
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