Why New York Should Look to Kentucky: The Positive Case for Shared Parenting Reform
In recent years, conversations around family court reform in New York have gained momentum. At the heart of this debate is a simple but powerful idea: children do best when both parents remain actively involved in their lives after separation or divorce.
New York is now considering shared parenting reforms that would align custody law with this principle. Fortunately, we don’t have to guess at the potential results—we can look to Kentucky, the first state in the nation to pass a rebuttable presumption of joint custody and equal parenting time. The outcomes there have been remarkable, offering a clear roadmap for New York.
Less Conflict, Less Court
When Kentucky enacted its reform in 2018, family court filings dropped by more than 11%—from 22,512 to 19,991—even as the state’s population grew (Daily Independent, 2019). This suggests that shared parenting laws reduce the need for drawn-out, adversarial custody battles.
For New York, where family courts are notoriously overburdened, this could mean:
Shorter case backlogs
Lower costs for parents
Less emotional strain on children stuck in prolonged disputes
A Safer Environment for Families
One of the most surprising outcomes in Kentucky was a significant drop in domestic violence filings after reform—693 fewer cases in just two years (Daily Independent, 2019).
This runs counter to old fears that shared parenting could escalate conflict. Instead, starting from a presumption of equality appears to lower the stakes and reduce the “winner-loser” mentality that fuels hostility in custody battles.
Imagine what this could mean in New York, where family safety concerns are deeply intertwined with custody disputes.
Better Outcomes for Children
The ultimate test of any family policy is its impact on kids. In Kentucky, data from the U.S. Children’s Bureau showed that after shared parenting reform:
Child maltreatment investigations dropped by 30.9%, compared to just 1.8% in neighboring Ohio.
Child victimization fell by 33.2%, while Ohio saw only a 2.5% reduction (Shared Parenting Org., 2022).
For New York children, this could mean fewer entering the child welfare system, stronger emotional security, and healthier development.
Public Support and Fairness
Kentucky’s law received an “A” rating from the National Parents Organization, boosting the state from the bottom of the rankings to the very top (NPO Report Card, 2025). Even more telling, lawmakers who supported the reform enjoyed strong voter approval and reelection success.
New Yorkers have long recognized the need for fairness in family courts—and Kentucky’s results show that reform can be both effective and popular.
What Shared Parenting Could Mean for New York
If New York adopts a similar model, families across the state could see:
✅ Reduced conflict – fewer custody battles and faster resolutions
✅ Healthier children – lower maltreatment and stronger bonds with both parents
✅ Safer families – reduced domestic violence filings
✅ Fairer courts – leveling the playing field for both mothers and fathers
✅ Public confidence – a family court system that feels just and balanced
Closing Thought
New York families deserve better than a system that pits parents against each other and leaves children caught in the middle. Kentucky has already shown us what happens when the law starts with fairness: less conflict, safer families, and kids who thrive with the love and support of both parents.
It’s time for New York to follow that lead. Shared parenting isn’t just good policy—it’s a moral imperative. Every child deserves equal access to both parents, and every parent deserves a level playing field. The future of family law in New York should be one of balance, cooperation, and justice. The time for shared parenting reform is now.
The evidence is clear: shared parenting works. It’s time for New York to make it the standard.
