NC S576

Establishes a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and shared parenting is in the best interest of the child, defined as the child spending as close as possible to an equal amount of time with each parent.

Requires courts to consider 11 specific factors when determining shared parenting schedules, including the child's wishes, parental motivations, domestic violence history, and each parent's likelihood of facilitating contact with the other parent.

Allows the presumption to be rebutted if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that shared parenting is not in the child's best interest, if parties reach an agreement on all custody issues, or if one party does not request sole, primary, or joint custody.

Modifies mediation goals in custody proceedings to include equalizing the time the child spends with each parent based on shared parenting factors.

Amends state policy to encourage parental agreements establishing joint custody and shared parenting arrangements with near-equal time division between parents.