New Arizona law encourages more joint parenting
Web Producer: Mekita Rivas
PHOENIX (AP) - An Arizona law that goes into effect Tuesday encourages divorced parents to do more joint parenting.
The law requires courts to adopt plans that increase as much as possible both parents' time with a child and forbids judges from giving one parent preference based on the parent's or child's gender.
The Arizona Republic reports that, under the new law, judges now must fine any parent who lies to the court or tries to delay court proceedings. Such fines were previously optional.
There are stricter reporting requirements for parents to notify the other parent when they move a significant distance away.
And the new law still requires judges to make decisions based on the children's best interest, but their best interest now includes maximum time for both parents.
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