According to several studies, children of divorced parents generally benefit more from joint custody arrangements than they do sole custody arrangements, unless one parent has physical or mental health issues or is abusive or neglectful.
These studies have shown that children in joint custody situations are better adjusted, have fewer behavior problems, and perform better in school. However, even if the parents do not share physical custody, the child may still benefit as long as he or she spends a significant amount of time with each parent.
If you and your ex choose to share custody, or if a judge determines that shared custody is in the best interest of your child, here are some possible shared custody arrangements:
- Alternating weeks/two weeks: The child spends one week with Parent A and the next week with Parent B. Alternating every two weeks may also be an option.
- Two days: While it is not generally prudent for children to go back and forth between homes every other day, spending two days with Parent A and two days with Parent B may be the best option, particularly if the parents live near each other.
- 2:2:3: The child may spend two days with Parent A, two days with Parent B, and three days with Parent A, and the schedule will switch the following week.
- 3:4:4:3: The child may live with Parent A for the first three days of the week, and with Parent B for the last four days of the week, and the schedule will switch the following week.
- 2:2:2:5: The child spends two days with Parent A, two days with Parent B, five days with Parent A, and five days with Parent B.
Many Pennsylvania parents assume that joint custody is the same as sharing custody 50/50. However, this is not always the case, as it may not be a practical option for parents who live far away from each other or work long hours. It may also not make sense for the child, who may be involved in several after-school activities and social events.
It can be hard to come up with a schedule that works for everyone, even if your divorce is amicable. An attorney specializing in family law can help you find a child custody arrangement that works best for your family.