For the vast majority of parents in Maryland, the safety and well-being of the children is their main focus. Even when parents divorce and separate, the children remain the top priority in their lives. This is why many parents these days are choosing joint child custody arrangements. Here are a few strategies to make a joint custody agreement successful for all parties involved.
Be respectful and involved
In order to make a joint custody arrangement successful, parents have to work together. It goes without saying that cooperation can be difficult following a divorce or separation. However, being respectful and cordial to the other party will facilitate good communication and help to keep conflict out of parenting.
Finances
Financial obligations should not be placed solely on one parent. Both parents need to step up and share financial responsibilities. It’s no secret that kids are expensive. Parents should share the costs of things like school fees and extracurricular activities.
Live close
The closer that parents live to each other, the better. Remember, children will be spending equal amounts of time with both parents, so living close will make the transitions easier on all parties. A good rule of thumb is that parents should live within 20 miles of each other.
Most importantly, always keep the well-being of the children at the forefront. If parents cannot work together and come to agreements surrounding custody, the case will go to court where a judge will decide an arrangement that suits the best interests of the children. But if parents can remain cooperative, a joint custody arrangement can have many benefits for both children and parents. Parents in Maryland who have questions about child custody or custody arrangements may want to consult a legal representative. An experienced family law attorney can answer questions and provide much-needed legal guidance.
