On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
While divorces can always be difficult, they can be especially complicated if children are involved. In the past, the children would primarily live with one parent while the other parent would have the kids for short periods of time. However, this trend is changing as more courts are becoming aware of the benefits that shared parenting provides for both the children and adults involved.
Shared parenting often involves having the kids spend equal time living with both parents. This allows each individual to establish a strong relationship with the children. Additionally, the kids will benefit from getting parental input and attention from two people rather than one.
While the status quo is indeed changing and shared parenting is becoming more common, some courts still may give primary custody to one parent over the other. This may be caused by a judicial bias or the fact that traditionally mothers have been the primary caregivers of children. Thus, mothers may have an advantage over fathers when seeking custody following a divorce.
Divorce courts generally try to make decisions that are in the best interests of the child. While this often means having a shared parenting plan, there may be valid reasons why a parent may want primary custody. A family law attorney may assist with providing evidence that shows that the parent seeking custody is in the best position to provide a stable home life for the kids. Additionally, the attorney may assist the parent in seeking a fair ruling on child support.