why you need an attorney during a divorce

why you need an attorney during a divorce

3 Reasons To Consider Joint Physical Custody

by Diana Butler

Divorce is always a challenging time, but it's even more difficult when there are children involved. When working with your attorney to figure out the fairest child custody arrangement, it's important to seriously consider joint physical custody. While you may be tempted to seek sole or primary custody, as long as your co-parent is a safe and functional part of your children's lives, joint physical custody can be beneficial for your whole family. Here are three reasons to consider joint physical custody:

Children Get to Spend Significant Time with Both Parents

The biggest benefit of joint physical custody is that your children will not have to sacrifice quality time with either you or your former spouse. Instead, they will continue to spend large amounts of time with both of you on a consistent basis. For many children, this can provide a sense of stability and consistency that eases their fears about the divorce, including fears that they will lose or be abandoned by one of their parents. With joint physical custody, their relationship with each parent gets to continue growing and thriving without long periods of interruption or absence.

Joint Custody is Inherently Cooperative

Many divorcing partners find that joint physical custody creates a more cooperative, team-like dynamic. If one parent gets significantly less time with the children than the other, they are more likely to feel threatened or insecure in their parenting role. Splitting time evenly can make the custody arrangement feel more manageable and fair for everyone involved.

You Get More Time to Practice Self Care

Divorce is a painful and stressful life change. One unexpected benefit of joint physical custody for some parents is that they find they actually look forward to their time alone when their child is with the other parent. This newfound alone time can be used to take good care of yourself during this difficult time. Whether you decide to see a therapist, join a new gym, meditate in a quiet home, or spend kid-free time with friends in order to vent about your divorce, this time can be used to focus on yourself and your emotional healing. Then, when it's your turn with the kids, you will feel more content and grounded.

Custody arrangements are always complicated, but joint physical custody turns out to be a great option for many families. An experienced divorce attorney like Bineham & Gillen, PLLC will be able to help guide you in determining the best custody arrangement for your family.


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why you need an attorney during a divorce

My daughter and her former husband went through some very tough years. They tried everything to make their marriage work, but it just wasn't going to work out. When she came to me for advice about what to do, I sent her on to a divorce attorney. I explained to her how important it is to have a legal professional working with you from the very start of a divorce. If you are preparing to file for a divorce, or are currently going through one, go to my site. There, you will learn several reasons why you should have an attorney representing you through the process.

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