Recent polling results show Georgia voters support equal shared parenting

 The most recent round of National Parents Organization (NPO) shared parenting polling, in coordination with United Georgia Families, shows overwhelming support for shared parenting in Georgia. According to the research, 92% of those who were polled in Georgia believe it is in the child's best interest to have as much time as possible with each parent in cases of separation or divorce.

This NPO-commissioned poll was conducted independently by Researchscape International as part of ongoing efforts by NPO and United Georgia Families. As the groups further their awareness and advocacy efforts for equal shared parenting legislation, the organizations came together to fund and conduct this poll. The main objective of the research is to measure the attitudes and beliefs of Georgians concerning shared parenting when parents live apart. These polling results in Georgia were tremendously supportive of equal shared parenting. In addition, the research shows almost all Georgians are more likely to back a candidate who supports shared parenting legislation.

The NPO Georgia Shared Parenting Survey was conducted over  eight days, concluding  on September 1, 2021. The sample size of 556 respondents was representative of Georgia adults with respect to race, gender, age, income, and political alignment. The data provides an estimated credibility interval of plus or minus 6%, according to Researchscape International. The polling of the respondents concluded that in instances of separation or divorce:

• 92% of those in Georgia believe it is in the child's best interest ... to have as much time as possible with each parent.

• 94% of Georgians expressed a commitment to vote their beliefs being "more likely to vote for a candidate who supports children spending equal or nearly equal time with each parent ...when both parents are fit and willing to be parents."

• 87% of those in Georgia indicated they would support a change in Georgia law that awards children as much time as possible with each parent after divorce or separation.

• 80% of Georgians surveyed believe that when there is conflict between parents, awarding sole custody to one parent increases conflict.

• 92% believe that Georgia should promote shared parenting for all children with separated parents.

• 83% of those in Georgia believe that both parents should have equal rights and responsibilities following divorce or separation.

Over the years, shared parenting has received a lot of attention in the Georgia state legislature. In the 2019 NPO Shared Parenting Report Card, Georgia received a ‘C’ grade, which was a slight improvement from the ‘C-’ it received in 2014. As shared in the 2019 Report Card, Georgia was noted to have two shared parenting positives in current legislation, including:

• GA Code § 19-9-6 (2015): Georgia statutes explicitly define “joint physical custody” as “substantially equal time and contact with both parents.”

• GA Code § 19-9-3 (2015): Georgia expressly encourages that minor children have “continuing contact with parents and grandparents who have shown the ability to act in the best interest of the child” and “parents to share in the rights and responsibilities of raising their children after such parents have separated or dissolved their marriage.”

Despite the positives, there are several ways that Georgia can improve on its statutory provisions promoting shared parenting. In the 2019 Report Card, two serious negatives were also noted:

• Georgia has no statutory preference for, or presumption of, shared parenting (joint legal custody and shared physical custody) for temporary or final orders.

• Georgia statutes do not require courts to consider “friendly parent” factors in awarding custody.

 NPO shared parenting advocates, including those who are part of the NPO Georgia Affiliate Chapter, have made several recommendations to the state legislature to enhance current shared parenting laws and create additional equal shared parenting opportunities. These recommendations would further support the results of this shared parenting poll, which shows high interest from individuals in Georgia to see current legislation improve to better support equal shared parenting. Recommendations from NPO include:

• Georgia should enact the rebuttable presumption proposed in House Bill 1140 (2020) that equal or approximately equal parenting time is in the best interest of children.

• Georgia should support presumption of equal or approximately equal parenting during temporary orders, as proposed in House Bill 1140 (2020). Equally shared parenting during temporary orders provides continuity of relationships with both parents for the child during the period when the court lacks sufficient evidence for a final determination.

• The Georgia legislature should require each county court that handles child custody cases to maintain records of the division of parenting time, tracked by overnights or equivalent, for all cases of divorce involving minor children and for paternity cases, and to compile and publish these statistics annually, separating marital from non-marital cases and agreed judgments from court-imposed judgments.

 As a way to generate more support from Georgia lawmakers, this shared parenting polling research will be used by NPO and its volunteers to raise awareness about the benefits of shared parenting. Advocates hope that this data will put pressure on state legislators in Georgia to enact laws that truly promote the best interest of children.

 Georgia joined five other states, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, West Virginia, and Washington, in the latest round of polling. As of November 2021, NPO has commissioned shared parenting polling in 19 states. NPO is working to fund these types of independently commissioned shared parenting polls in all 50 states. To help support the efforts of polling the remaining states, click here to donate.

 To learn more about NPO, click here to visit the organization’s website. You can also help to support its mission and vision by donating, fundraising, volunteering, and advocating.

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The overarching goal of National Parents Organization (NPO) is to promote shared parenting by educating parents, divorce professionals, and legislators and by reforming family courts and laws in every state. NPO focuses on advocacy and research leading to systemic reform of the family courts. The organization does not provide legal aid or advice on individual cases.