THE PROS AND CONS OF JOINT CUSTODY – A QUICK GUIDE
Joint custody is a viable solution for divorcing parents who may not have ended their marriage on the best of terms. Some people are skeptical about whether it’s truly an effective solution for the distribution of custodial rights, which is what we will discuss in this article.
Why are Custody Battles so Traumatizing for Children?
One concern that many people have when it comes to distributing custodial rights is that it can be extremely traumatic for the divorcing couple’s children. This is an issue that many families face, as children are often neglected during the divorce process, which is ironic as it’s the time when they need the most help, love, and support. They have to witness their parents bicker over everything, which can scar them for life. Therefore, it’s always a good idea for both parties to find a fair middle ground. That will make it easier for children to cope with the situation.
The Pros:
The reason some divorcing couples opt for joint custody is that it helps the children by allowing them to grow up with the influence of both parents equally. This will make it less traumatizing for the children, as they will get to spend time with both parents however they choose without strict custody terms limiting their visitation time. Furthermore, the parents will get to work out their differences in an open discussion without any interference from the court, which makes it a much faster and hassle-free process. Joint custody splits up the child-rearing responsibility between the parents, which makes it more convenient for both parties. It allows them to carry their own weight in a way that both parties agreed upon.
The Cons:
The major disadvantage of joint custody is that it can be hard if the parents live too far apart from each other after the divorce. If this is the case, children will have to do a lot of traveling to spend time with their parents. If one parent plans to move to a different city or state after the divorce, it will be extremely difficult for the children to go from one town to the other regularly. This means that one parent might slowly fade into the background of the children’s lives, as they will be too far away for the children to spend a lot of time with them. They may have a chance to see them at least once or twice a year, but that may not be enough. After all, children need to have their parents in their lives as much as possible.
Furthermore, joint custody will require both parents to communicate with each other, which will be highly difficult for them if they have a tendency to butt heads. It may be more convenient for both parties to have the court decide their terms to ensure that they won’t have to fight about anything.
If you’re looking for someone to help with your custody battle, Judith Goldberg’s Law Office is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
JUDITH GOLDBERG, DIVORCE AND FAMILY MEDIATOR.
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