Even amicable divorces can be stressful for families and joint custody arrangements are rarely successful without hard work on behalf of both parents. Follow these four tips for sharing custody of your children and make this arrangement a happy situation for kids and parents alike.
Put the Kids First
When you separate from your spouse, it might be tempting to badmouth or challenge his or her every move. Do your best to set your anger aside, however, and put the kids’ needs first. The two of you know your children best, so create a custody schedule that will work best for them and help them succeed in school or pursue their hobbies.
Keep Things Consistent
Even though your kids will live in two different households, try to give them some level of consistency. Talk with your former spouse about establishing basic ground rules and daily schedules that work for everyone. Your children might prefer a household with less structure, but many kids need security and predictability to flourish.
Establish a Smart Communication Plan
You might prefer never to talk with your former spouse again, but with a joint custody agreement, you’ll have to communicate from time to time. Rather than setting your ex up for failure, talk ahead of time about a communication plan. Will you discuss schedule changes over the phone or communicate details by email? Decide what works best for you both and stick to it.
Have a Lawyer on Your Side
Joint custody arrangements don’t always go smoothly, and exes can fail to keep up their end of the bargain. Make sure you have a lawyer on your side from the start so you can enforce a custody agreement or secure visitation rights before the battle has a lasting impact on your kids.
Don’t wait to hire a lawyer to advise about your child custody case. Contact Figueroa Law Group, P.A.today to consult with one of our experienced divorce attorneys.
