Little Known Benefits of Joint Child Custody Arrangements
Divorce is never the ideal situation for any family but when it is inevitable, making joint child custody arrangements can be the best solution for both parents and children. Although joint custody is not always possible to achieve, divorcing couples who have opted to make this decision are happier than those who do not. Understanding what this resolution means to you and your family can have a significant, lasting impact on the lives of your children.
What are Joint Child Custody Arrangements?
In the event of a divorce, a decision has to be made about the role both parents will play in the children’s lives. Joint custody entails giving both parents the right to make important decisions that will affect the children’s upbringing and daily life. Decisions involve education, health, religion, financial support and other crucial aspects of life. It is possible for joint arrangements to include physical custody but this is not always the case.
Joint Child Custody Vs. Physical Custody
Joint and physical custody are often used interchangeably but there are significant differences to note. The former grants both parents decision-making powers and might include physical custodianship. Physical custody occurs when parents decide that children will live in both households. Children might be allowed to stay with one parent for a set period of time every year, after which they switch and live with the other parent. Physical custody does not necessarily guarantee a parent decision-making rights.
Benefits of Joint Child Custody Arrangements
The obvious benefit of this arrangement is that the children will be happier having both their parents involved in their lives. However, what parents might not know is that children can be happier with joint custody than being exposed to conflict between parents in a single home. Cooperation can have long term psychological impact on the emotional well-being of children.
Financial Support
Another surprising fact is that the more time non-custodial parents spend with their children, the more eager they become to provide financial and emotional support. Sharing in decision-making and physical custody creates a stronger bond between parent and child. Because of this attachment, the non-custodial parent is willing to contribute to the children’s overall upbringing, which alleviates pressure from the primary custodian.
Exposure to Extended Family
When children have access to both parents, they have the opportunity to receive additional support from extended family members. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and other extended relatives have been shown to increase stability and give children of divorced couples a sense of normalcy,
Healthy Perspective of Parents
Studies reveal that children raised by a single parent tend to have feelings of anger, hatred and other negative views about either the non-custodial parent or primary caregiver. This is especially true when visitations are limited and responsibility falls more on one parent than the other. With shared custody, children develop a healthier, normal view. Neither parent is seen as better nor worse than the other, which is the typical perspective of children in stable homes.
Although child custody has legal implications for parents, it is primarily about the welfare of the children. Choosing to share custody allows parents to stay actively involved in the children’s lives and gives kids the sense of security, love and support they need to grow into healthy adults. If divorcing parents are willing to set aside personal disputes, joint child custody arrangements can make the most of a difficult, emotionally challenging situation.
Going through a divorce can be a traumatic experience. Going through the legal system without a team of qualified family lawyers can be even more stressful. If you need a divorce lawyer in Toronto or the surrounding area, please give us a call.