No one goes into a marriage planning on it ending in divorce, but circumstances can change. No matter how amicable a divorce may be, there are still a lot of issues that have to be worked out concerning property distribution, debt responsibilities and, perhaps most importantly, child custody.
In an ideal situation, both parties in a divorce negotiate a plan that works out well for everyone, including any children who may be involved in the split. Joint custody, sometimes referred to as shared custody, is the result of a court awarding custody of any children involved in a divorce to both parents.
Even if both parties have agreed to the terms of a divorce, there is a great deal of work that has to be done concerning the logistical side of this split. Deciding what holidays each parent gets with the children, when and where exchanges take place and more factors can add a great deal of stress to an already trying situation.
While the situation is less than ideal, there are things parents can do to ensure that things move as smoothly as they can. Making and keeping a promise to not speak ill of an ex around the children is a great starting point. Other important steps include keeping the well-being of the children at the forefront of one’s mind, being willing to adapt and adjust and making sure that the children feel heard.
If parents are trying to work their way through a divorce, especially one involving children, they may want to work with a family law attorney who is familiar with timesharing custody matters. Whether the divorce is contested or agreed upon, having an attorney there to guide parents through the hurdles may be beneficial.
A family law attorney may work with an individual to ensure that their desires are met and, most of all, that the needs of the children are kept at the forefront. This process certainly won’t be easy, but a parent and their children may survive the upcoming change more smoothly with professional help.