50/50 custody of children following a divorce is one of the most common splits seen in households today. Contrary to popular belief, there is a difference between joint custody and 50/50 custody, meaning what pops into your mind when hearing the term may be inaccurate.
By learning the ins and outs of 50/50 custody, you can determine whether or not it’s the right path for you and your partner to pursue. While it won’t be right for everyone, it is a valuable option if it fits your needs.
Key Factors to Consider in 50/50 Custody
When thinking about which type of custody will suit the needs of you and your former partner best, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, parental cooperation and communication need to be top of mind. You and your former partner must be able to work together and communicate effectively for this strategy to be successful, as 50/50 is a true split of parenting time.
Co-parenting conflicts can make the 50/50 structure challenging and stressful for children. The other factor to consider is the proximity of each partner’s home to the other. Living nearby will make transitions easier and minimize school disruptions, which helps to create stability for your child.
Additionally, building off the last point, you need to ensure that both parents have schedules that allow for active involvement in daily childcare. Inconsistent or demanding work hours will make 50/50 that much more challenging, which can lead to stress between parents and an unhealthy environment for your children.
How 50/50 Custody Affects Children
Another item to consider when thinking about the right custody split for your family is how the split will affect your children. Kids thrive upon consistency, and frequent transitions will be disruptive for them. Due to this, you should try to build as much of a stable routine for them as possible. Different age groups will also handle 50/50 differently, with children needing more stability and teenagers needing less.
You also need to consider the emotional impact that the split will have on your children. Equal time with both parents can benefit your children emotionally, whereas uneven time can potentially lead to emotional distance. Any conflicts between you and your former partner can create stress that leads to this emotional distance, even if your current custody schedule is balanced.
Another consideration that is often overlooked is if your child has a sibling. Keeping them together should be prioritized at all costs, rather than splitting their time between parents. Not doing this can create complicated family dynamics that devolve over time.
Alternative Custody Arrangements to Consider
If after reviewing, you determine that a 50/50 custody split isn’t actually the right choice for your needs, rest assured knowing you have other options. The most common alternative custody arrangements include:
- 60/40 or 70/30 Custody Schedules: Slightly uneven schedules might be better for children and parents who have odd schedules, so one parent may have more weekday responsibility while the other has weekends.
- Weekday/Weekend or Extended Stays: Some families find that having one parent take weekdays and the other take weekends works better as it helps accommodate work schedules while maintaining parent-child bonds.
- Flexible Parenting Plans: Some families adjust custody schedules as children grow older and their needs change, with courts sometimes allowing modifications if 50/50 custody becomes too difficult.
The above alternative custody plans are just samples of what may work for your family. The important thing is to design a custody schedule that is unique and ensures your family stays connected and that your divorce doesn’t affect your kids more than it needs to.
Build a healthy custody agreement for your child
The key factors to consider when deciding whether or not a 50/50 custody split is right for you are the cooperation level with your partner, the proximity of your homes, everyone’s schedules, and the overall well-being of your child. By keeping these items at the top of mind, you will reduce any potential complications that could arise.
Speak with a family law attorney or a mediator if you are unsure of what the best path is for your child. It might also help to chat with a therapist who can assess your child’s mental state during the divorce so that you gain better insight into what they need. After all, at the end of the day, your child’s best interest should always be at the top of your mind.