In my very own All Benevolent People's Republic of Texas for instance, there would be quite the contrary of an automatic return to an involved NCP if the CP died. The NCP would have to petition the king ... I mean, the little local judge ... for permission to resume what our founding documents refer to as his/her God-given natural rights. This is so extremely ludicrous in Texas that, for example, if a CP and NCP remarry, they must go into court and get the k ... -- excuse me again -- I mean the judge's, permission to cease paying CS.
Family Law in the US is in serious need of forthright, common sense evaluation and reform. It directly effects over 70 million Americans (20 million CPs, 20 million NCPs, and 30 million children) -- not counting all the people indirectly effected (arguably, everyone else). This makes it, in aggregate, our nation's second largest social program -- second only to Social Security ... and we all know what a genius job our leaders have done with that one!
The only way I know to deal with it all is to maintain a sense of humor while detailing the relevant facts in order to give the system We the People own a chance to respond responsibly in accordance with universal principles of reason. After that, the dice are in the air and we'll have to wait to see what number is rolled.