Many states have hopped on the co-parenting trend in recent years. The shift from emphasis on child custody to the promotion of co-parenting arrangements has benefitted many families and children. If you are going through a divorce and wondering what the best thing for your child is, co-parenting certainly offers one option that may suit your family’s needs. You can move towards such an arrangement and better understand how it differs from custody by reading the following.
Co-parenting emphasizes children
When parents focus exclusively on determining custody arrangements, the emphasis tends to be on establishing who owns certain holidays or parts of the week. In co-parenting, however, both parents choose to prioritize their children and act according to what serves them best. Though this may be difficult, it prevents you from placing your own needs above your child’s, and it ensures that your kid’s needs are met. According to the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, the focus should always be on what is best for your child.
It can foster civility between exes
In addition to its prioritization of children, co-parenting helps exes maintain civility after a divorce. Because you will likely spend more time together than a traditional custody arrangement would allow for, it is essential that you be on good terms with your ex. Arranging activities and communicating regarding your child can ensure that this happens. Rather than picking up and dropping off your kid, you can expect to attend events together and present a united front for your child’s benefit.
Arrangements may be less contentious
Making arrangements and decisions regarding your child’s health care or education are often points of contention among divorced couples who split custody. Because of such tension, it may be difficult to make these decisions. When you co-parent, however, you can forge agreements and discuss important issues without the pressure of an acrimonious custody arrangement in the background.
You may minimize time in court
If you and your ex agree to a co-parenting setup, it is possible that such an arrangement won’t just benefit your child. It may also benefit you by potentially minimizing the amount of time you may spend in court. When custody battles become long, drawn-out affairs, nobody wins, but with a co-parenting agreement in place, you can save your family from the burden of this stress.
There are a number of advantages of a co-parenting arrangement over a custody battle. If you are going through a divorce and want to make an arrangement that is best for your children, working with a qualified attorney can help.
