If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse have a kid, child custody will be on the table. You need to decide about your child’s living situation and how they will be raised after your divorce.
Below are two examples of custody agreements you can make:
Living with one parent
You and the other parent can agree on who will have primary custody. This party will live with the child while the other (who will have partial custody) will take the child for a limited period, and in some cases, this interaction may be supervised.
Living with both parents
With shared physical custody, your child will live in both homes based on an agreed schedule. For example, you may use the alternating weeks schedule, in which the child spends one week with you and the following week in the other parent’s home.
Regardless of the agreement you choose, communicate effectively about every related topic, from the schedule to diet. A simple misunderstanding can negatively impact your co-parenting.
Who makes decisions for the child?
Your custody agreement should also include legal custody (who and how you will make decisions regarding your child’s medical care, education, religious training, and so forth). Legal custody can be shared, or one parent may exercise it solely.
What if you can’t agree?
If you and the other parent can’t agree on the above custody options, perhaps your other divorce matters were contentious, and child custody is no different, or you believe your child will be at risk when with the other parent, possibly they have been abusive in the past, you may need to consider other options, such as mediation or going to court.
Making decisions that can affect your child for a lifetime can be challenging. Get legal help to know what you can do to protect your kid’s future.
