In what is a model that should be adopted by the other 49 States in the United States, Iowa has a law that requires a presumptive shared parenting of 50/50 in all divorces.  Demonstrating its committment to Iowa families, this bill was passed in 2006.  Iowa is certainly protecting America's Heartland!

Enacted on July 1, 2004 the law is the first in the United States and allows for both parents rights to be involved in the life of their children.  It's a good law, one that should be modeled in other states.

View Iowa's Shared Parenting Laws <click>

 There is much work still to be done in the State of Iowa, where judges believe this bill does not necessarily effect the decision they make in the best interest of the children.  It appears the court of appeals is disagreeing with many of these judges that still legislate from the bench.

If last years elections are a hint of what is to come, soon these judges will be feeling political pressure.  In 2006, Judge Pelton was campaigned against as he attempted to gain public support for his continue participation as a judge.  Although he did eventually win, the groups that opposed him learned valuable lessons to help them work on other judges in the future.  We should look for them to be more successful in their future attempts to out judges that do not follow the laws of Iowa and are not family friendsly.