One of the most difficult aspects of divorce is how this process will affect your children. You know that this decision will impact their daily lives, and you naturally want to do everything possible to make sure that they have as much stability and security as possible during this time. An important matter to consider is how your custody and visitation decisions will affect your children and to make choices that are truly in their best interests.
Many Georgia families find that a simple way to protect the best interests of their children is to opt for a joint custody arrangement. This is a popular custody choice that will allow the kids to maintain regular contact with both of their parents, and it is often one of the most beneficial options for families. It may be helpful to consider the benefits of this choice in order to determine if it could work for your situation.
Benefits and potential drawbacks of this custody choice
One of the primary benefits of joint custody is that it allows the kids to see both parents regularly. This has proved to be beneficial for their mental and emotional health, allowing the kids to have a sense of stability during a time of transition and change. In addition to this benefit, the following are other ways that joint custody could be a smart and practical choice for your family:
- By sharing parenting time, you will have a routine. This can be good for both you and your children.
- You and the other parent will share the responsibility of disciplining the children and making decisions that impact their everyday lives.
- When the children are with the other parent, you will have more time to yourself, which can be good for your mental health and healing.
- You and the other parent will have the opportunity for cost-sharing for the daily needs of your children.
These are all positive aspects for joint custody, but that does not necessarily mean that it will work perfectly for you and your family. It is in your interests to carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each custody choice before making a decision. If you are unsure of what steps will be most beneficial, a careful assessment of your situation with an experienced professional can provide insight regarding the most beneficial way forward.