An Act relative to determining the best interest of children in probate and family court

This bill (SD 210) updates Massachusetts family court guidelines for determining child custody arrangements. It defines key terms like "shared decision-making responsibility" (both parents making major choices about education, health, and upbringing) and "shared residential responsibility" (children spending significant time with both parents). The law requires courts to prioritize the child’s best interest - considering their well-being, adjustment, and safety - without presuming shared custody. It mandates detailed parenting plans covering education, medical care, dispute resolution, and schedules, while removing automatic preferences for either shared or sole custody arrangements. The bill directly affects parents, family courts, and children in custody cases across Massachusetts.