Legal Definitions - friendly-parent law

A friendly-parent law is a type of statute that directs or permits a judge, when making decisions about child custody, to consider how well each parent supports and facilitates the child's relationship with the other parent. Essentially, it assesses whether a parent encourages a healthy bond between the child and the other parent, or if they actively try to undermine or obstruct that relationship.

Here are some examples of how a friendly-parent law might apply:

• Scenario: After a divorce, Ms. Chen consistently ensures her daughter, Lily, has regular video calls with her father, Mr. Lee, who lives in another state. Ms. Chen also makes sure Lily's artwork and school achievements are shared with Mr. Lee and speaks positively about him to Lily, even though their own relationship ended.
  Illustration: Under a friendly-parent law, a judge would likely view Ms. Chen's actions favorably. She is actively encouraging and facilitating Lily's relationship with her father, demonstrating a willingness to prioritize the child's bond with both parents. This positive behavior could influence a custody decision in her favor.
• Scenario: Mr. Davies frequently "forgets" to inform his son, Sam, about emails or phone calls from Sam's mother, Ms. Miller. When Ms. Miller arrives for scheduled visitation, Mr. Davies often creates last-minute excuses or activities to delay Sam's departure, making Sam feel guilty about leaving. He also makes disparaging remarks about Ms. Miller's parenting style in front of Sam.
  Illustration: In this situation, a friendly-parent law would allow the judge to consider Mr. Davies's behavior. His actions demonstrate an attempt to thwart or obstruct Sam's relationship with Ms. Miller. This negative conduct could be a significant factor against Mr. Davies in a custody determination, as it suggests he is not prioritizing the child's need for a healthy relationship with both parents.
• Scenario: During a custody dispute, the court learns that while Mr. Evans allows his daughter, Chloe, to visit her mother, Ms. White, he often expresses profound sadness and loneliness to Chloe just before her visits. He might say things like, "I'll be all alone here while you're having fun," making Chloe feel responsible for his emotional state and creating anxiety about leaving him.
  Illustration: Even though Mr. Evans doesn't physically block visits, a friendly-parent law would enable the judge to evaluate if his emotional manipulation subtly thwarts Chloe's ability to fully enjoy and connect with her mother. By burdening Chloe with his feelings, he is indirectly undermining her relationship with Ms. White, which a court would consider when determining the best custody arrangement.