When ending a marriage, one of the most stressful aspects is child custody. Custody determines who physically lives with and cares for the child. In some situations, sole custody is best. In others, joint custody is the ideal fit for the child. When preparing for joint custody, it’s important to have professionals who can help you reach a fair arrangement. Here are things to know about family law Pasco County FL regarding joint custody.

Qualifications

In a joint custody arrangement, the time the child spends with each parent is not necessarily equal. However, the time does need to meet the qualifications of being considerable and frequent. The parents share responsibility for the well-being of the child. Joint custody works best when the parents can get along enough to participate civilly in the process. As communication and compromise will be necessary, the adults must be capable of cooperating. They both need to desire to be actively involved in the child’s life and they must live close to each other to accommodate frequent swaps.

Schedules

Although parents often have busy schedules, joint custody can accommodate most existing schedules. If a parent works long shifts on the weekends, that parent can have the child more during the week. Holidays and summer breaks can also allow for extended time for a parent who gets less time. Contact can also be made via phone, and it is beneficial for both parents to attend recitals and sporting events.

Communication

As children get older or activities change, the custody schedule may need to be often revisited. When you make your parenting plan, keep in mind that it is not set in stone forever. Be open to change as it best suits your child. Flexibility from both parents will provide a strong foundation for healthy co-parenting.

Custody can be a challenging issue, and it should keep the child’s best interest at heart. Taking the various needs of all involved into consideration will allow you to craft a solution that works for the whole family