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The Pros and Cons of Joint Physical Custody

One of the most important aspects of the divorce process is settling on a child custody arrangement that is in the best interests of your kids. In most situations, judges want both parents to be meaningfully involved in raising their children, which means joint physical custody arrangements are often considered. However, these arrangements can have both positive and negative aspects to them.

The pros of joint physical custody

In a joint physical custody situation, the children are able to grow up spending significant amounts of time with each parent and perhaps have an equally strong bond with both parents. Joint physical custody lets children spend time living with each parent through a mutually agreed-upon timesharing arrangement.

Joint physical custody is not just beneficial to the child — it can also be ideal for both parents. It is key for divorced or separated parents to work together amicably when they each have significant time with their children, and their children can serve as a common ground that makes cordiality between them possible. That positive communication and the sharing of responsibility for the children is beneficial for the parents and the children.

The cons of joint custody

Joint physical custody can be stressful for children if there are too many transitions between households, they are unsure who they are staying with on any given evening, or there are practical challenges of distance between households or the parent’s work schedules making the schedule difficult. Practical challenges involving distance between households and the schedules of both parents and the children must be considered when joint physical custody are being considered.

Meanwhile, for parents, joint physical custody may not be a realistic option if their relationship is damaged to the point where they are unable to communicate in a positive manner, which can add stress and anxiety to a child’s life. Parents need to be able to communicate positively and amicably to ensure the children’s needs are being met.

Ultimately, the custody arrangement will be left up to the court. To learn more about the options available to you, meet with an experienced Minnesota child custody lawyer at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A.

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