Is Joint Custody for You?

Going through divorce is difficult for everyone, but sometimes people can forget that this also includes the child of a couple.

Parents always want what is best for their children. But what does this look like in a divorce situation? How can divorcing parents get their child through these tough times safely and in good health?

What Is Joint Custody?

Psychology Today discusses several recent studies done on joint custody families. Generally speaking, joint custody serves as one of the more popular options when it comes to handling divorce and custody situations.

Joint custody allows parents to share legal custody and sometimes physical custody over their child. Legally, this means each parent has an equal amount of say in how their child is raised.

Joint physical custody can mean that a child’s time gets split evenly between each household rather than one having primary physical custody and the other having visitation. However, this is not often typical because of how disruptive it can be to a child’s life.

The Support of Joint Custody

However, having that basis of support in the form of joint legal custody can do a child a lot of good. Studies show that the extra support can help children of divorce form better coping mechanisms, have healthier relationships, and struggle with fewer instances of mental health problems.

Joint custody does not work for every family, though. It is not often recommended for families where one parent faces accusations of abuse or neglect. If one parent will soon serve time in jail, is currently serving time, or is on active duty with the military, then it might be the best option, either. For others, however, it may work perfectly.