SB505 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Bussman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Child custody, parenting plan required, shared parenting time considered to be in best interest unless written findings otherwise, factors and contents, court to design plan where parties can not agree

Summary

The bill standardizes custody decisions by requiring a parenting plan in all cases with separated parents, making equal time-sharing the default unless proven otherwise, and giving courts tools to enforce and adjust plans.

What This Bill Does

It requires a detailed parenting plan in every case where parents are not living together, sets out time-sharing and who makes decisions, and creates a default presumption of equal time-sharing that can be overturned with evidence that it’s not in the child’s best interests. It also lists factors for courts to consider when deciding best interests, guarantees access to child records for both parents, and provides penalties and remedies if a parent does not follow the plan.

Who It Affects

• Parents who are divorcing or otherwise separated and must establish a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule
• Minor children whose daily care, schooling, and activities will be governed by the parenting plan and time-sharing rules

Key Provisions

• Requires a parenting plan in all cases involving minor children where parents are not living together, detailing daily parenting tasks, a time-sharing schedule, and decision-making responsibilities
• Establishes a time-sharing schedule and designates which parent has primary authority for decisions if the parents disagree
• Creates a rebuttable presumption of equal time-sharing between both parents, overridden only by specific findings that equal division is not in the child’s best interests
• Lists factors for determining the child’s best interests, including parental cooperation, stability, health, safety, school needs, and the child’s preferences when appropriate
• Guarantees both parents access to records and information about the child (medical, school, etc.) with confidentiality protections as required by law
• Provides remedies for not following the time-sharing plan, such as awarding makeup time, shifting costs, requiring parenting courses or community service, and potentially modifying time-sharing
• Allows the court to enforce and modify custody arrangements if a parent interferes with time-sharing or custody
• Declares there will be only one form of custody determination

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Child Custody