Why should parents consider joint custody?

Should two people decide to no longer be together, and they have children, they will have to discuss child custody. Some parents may be able to sit down and figure out an arrangement that they both can agree on. Others may find it difficult because they let their emotions get in the way. When discussing child custody, parents will have a number of options to choose from, but not every alternative is as rewarding to the parents and the child as joint custody.

One of the main reasons parents may agree to joint custody is because it allows them and the child to continue to have a healthy relationship with one another. When one parent has sole custody, the other parent may not be able to see their child as much as they would like. With joint custody, parents have equal time with the child, but also share responsibility when making decisions about how the child will be raised. The child may also feel relieved because they will not have to choose between parents and will get to spend quality time with both of them.

If parents decide to dispute and take the other to court and seek sole custody of their child, they have the right to do so. However, they should keep in mind that courts may feel that joint custody is what is best for the child. With the chance that the courts will award joint custody even though that is not what one or both parents want, they should sit down and strongly consider if joint custody is, in fact, the best option for them and their child.

Any parent who is dealing with a child custody dispute may want to contact an attorney. It is easy for people to get emotional and angry when it comes to their children, so it is not surprising that parents often dispute when they are discussing child custody. There is a solution to this problem, and if parents take the time to sit down and discuss child custody calmly and rationally, they may be able to find an arrangement that works for everyone involved.