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Your children need you as they grow up, and you wouldn’t want it any other way. A divorce could step in to threaten that relationship, especially as California falls short when it comes to dividing parenting time.

The National Parents Organization (NPO) stamped California with a D grade when it comes to legislation on shared parenting. Splitting custody evenly can be crucial for the healthy upbringing of your child, but California doesn’t always present a clear path for you to take.

Sharing and caring

Your children are better off the closer you get to having equal time with your former partner. Studies have shown that physical and emotional growth in a two-parent upbringing exceeds that of children from single-parent homes. Behavioral and academic marks are also higher, as well as relationships with you and other close family members.

Study hard

The developmental well-being of your child is the driving force behind the study, but many states fall short of their expectations. Only two states received A grades, while 14 others ranked with California in the Ds. What this means for you could be an uphill battle to get the time with your kids that you both need.

The grade comes from several factors. California doesn’t explicitly provide for sharing through temporary orders that the court might put in place as you go through a divorce. The state also doesn’t show a preference for shared custody after divorce but instead leaves a wide berth for courts to allow it when looking at the matter.

While California may not be the easiest place to get shared custody with your child, the allowances are there to make it happen. Show the courts that it’s in your child’s best interest, and you might have a winning plan moving forward.