2015 Fatherless Day Rally in Jefferson City

2015 has been a very interesting and active year when it comes to Family Court Reform. Over twenty states have, or are considering, legislation to fix Family Courts. Missouri was one of these. We, with MO4SharedParenting, went to Jefferson City at least once a week for over three months. Our aim was to talk to as many legislators as possible. All we talked with knew there was a problem and the majority said that they could vote for a "Shared Parenting" bill. Most knew some individual or family that had been mistreated in Family Court. Missouri actually got a Senate Bill (SB565) and a House Bill (HB1131) filed this past session. But in the committee hearing for the House Bill, two lawyers and an Abused Women's Advocate spoke out in opposition. Our Missouri Statutes already take care of proven unfit parents. Our change in parenting time was just concerning two fit and willing parents that both wanted the maximum amount of time with their children. The judge then must have a default of 50/50, instead of the standard one day a week and every other weekend. The bill was delayed but their concerns were addressed. Then the Missouri Bar Association wrote a letter in opposition and that was the kiss of death. We were dismayed that a lobbying group for lawyers and judges apparently had more sway over our legislators than Missouri's children of divorce or separation. The true victims are the children who are having access to one parent (usually the father) limited to that of a visitor. The research proves that children do much better when access to both parents is maximized. With all the talk about absent fathers, it is a shame that our family courts are encouraging fathers to spend less time with their children.

We were informed that the Legislative Review Committee for the Missouri Bar Association will bring the issue before the membership at their annual conference this summer. That does give us hope, but it seems like a "fox guarding the hen house" scenario.

We ask that the Missouri Bar and our legislators keep these things in mind. Parenting your child should not depend on:

- Your gender

- Your child's gender

- How wealthy you are

- Which judge you have

- Which county you live in

- Unproven allegations

- Your lawyer's talents

Our Family Courts should not be encouraging either parent to spend less time with their children. Family Court should not make it more difficult and costly for parents to remain integral parts of their children's lives.

So this movement will not be deterred until children of Missouri have equal access to both fit and willing parents.

There is also a 2015 Fatherless Day Rally at Jefferson City June 19 from noon to 3. There will be speakers and information about what Shared Parenting Advocates are trying to change in Family Courts across the country. There are 29 listed rallies across this country. This is a movement that is going strong and we will be back next session.