If you are considering a divorce and have children, you may be worried about what type of custody arrangement you and your spouse will end up with and how your children will be raised. Years ago, most child custody cases were decided by the child living with the mother and the father having visitation. But over the past couple of decades, societal norms have changed, and it is not uncommon for both parents to have shared custody.
If you are going through a custody battle, contact a law firm to meet with a child custody attorney. They can discuss your situation and decide what your best legal options are. In the meantime, the following is a brief overview of some of the non-traditional shared custody options that many parents today are living by.
Nesting
When a couple divorces, they usually live apart from each other, each with their own home. In most custody cases, the child spends time with each parent at their individual homes, usually having a bedroom, toys, clothing, and other personal items at each parent’s home. Many child advocates agree that this arrangement can be stressful for some children because if forces them to split time between each parent’s home.
Many parents are choosing the nesting (also called bird’s nest) alternative in their shared custody arrangement. In a nesting arrangement, the child lives in one home and the parents take turns living there. When the parent is not living at the “nest” with the child, they are living in their own individual home. One thing to keep in mind with this arrangement is that it can be expensive since it means running and paying expenses on three homes.
Live together as divorce parents: Instead of living apart, some divorce parents decide to live together and continue to raise their child together. This arrangement would only work for couples who are friendly and able to get along. If there is any acrimony between the two, this would not be a good alternative. This arrangement can also be cost-effective for parents who live in areas where the cost of living is high.
Parallel parenting: If the parents are unable to get along and communicate, parallel parenting may be the best option. In this type of custody, parents treat each other as if they are in a business. When communicating, both parents are encouraged to use neutral language. If parents are unable to communicate, a third party can be chosen – not the child – who will do the communicating for them.
Contact a Custody Attorney Today
If you are going through a divorce or dealing with a custody or visitation conflict, a lawyer can understand just how stressful this can be. Having a knowledgeable and experienced child custody attorney can make all the difference in the legal results. Call a law office today to set up a confidential consultation with a child custody lawyer in Bloomington and find out how they can help you get the best possible outcome available.
Thanks to Pioletti, Pioletti & Nichols for their insight into family law and child custody arrangements.