After couples make the decision to no longer be together, whether they are married or unmarried, if they have children together, they will have to discuss the topic of child custody. Some parents may find it easy to come to an agreement about child custody, but not all parents can see eye to eye on this specific matter. When this happens, it is not uncommon for people to get angry and drag out the dispute instead of working to resolve it.
When parents dispute over child custody, they will want to examine what arrangement is in the best interests of the child instead of fighting for what they want and only thinking of themselves. For example, one parent may believe that them being awarded sole custody and the other being awarded visitation is the best arrangement. But with this custody agreement, not allowing the child to get an equal amount of time with both parents, may not be the best option. Not only does this limit parenting time for one parent and cause them to miss out on important events in the child’s life, but the child could also have an emotional reaction to seeing their parentless.
Some parents may thoroughly examine their options before they have a discussion with the other parent about child custody. Should parents carefully consider the various types of custody arrangements, they may find that joint custody is a popular arrangement that parents agree upon because both will be required to share the responsibility of the child, which is very helpful when it comes to the financial aspect. The child will also get to see both parents an equal amount of time.
Child custody may be stressful for parents to deal with, but it is something that needs to be discussed. When parents do not agree on an arrangement and find themselves disputing, they may want to consider contacting an attorney. It is possible to find an arrangement that keeps both parents and their child happy, and an attorney can assist with finding it.