Alabama May Make Change to Child Custody Laws

Lawmakers in Alabama are deciding whether to push through new legislation that could seriously change the state's child custody laws.

The premise is simple: the law would force parents to assume equal custody of the children, unless one parent should be deemed unfit. Those who support the bill state that this would bring equity to a system that tended to favor mothers in child custody battles; opponents argue that children could find themselves in destabilizing situations.

The bill just barely passed in the state Senate's Children, Youth Affairs and Human Resources Committee, and it will now go for review before the full Senate. Republican Sen. Paul Bussman, who sponsored the bill, is a divorced father himself who spent little time with his own children as they grew up.

If you are considering divorce and there are children involved, it is time to contact a Long Island family law attorney now. You need to start discussing child custody with not only your lawyer, but your spouse as well.