Obviously, no couple enters marriage with plans of divorcing in the back of their minds. Yet, just this year alone, thousands of spouses in Virginia and across the country will divorce. Many of these spouses are parents, so the needs of their children must remain their primary concern often for years after the divorce is finalized. For this reason, many parents choose to work together and agree upon a joint child custody arrangement. Here are some of the not-so-obvious benefits that often come with joint child custody.
Consistent discipline
While joint custody means getting to share the joys of parenting, it also means parents share the challenges, even the discipline. Parents who have joint custody can collaborate to stay consistent when it comes to discipline and enforcing household rules. Most of the time, consistency allows children to thrive.
Sharing expenses
Parents in a joint custody arrangement may naturally end up sharing more of the expenses that come with raising children. Needs will pop up organically, like school projects or extracurricular activities. Each parent will often handle these expenses as they arise. However, large child-related expenses should be shared by both parents.
Free time
A joint custody arrangement gives each parent time away from the children. Parents can use this time to focus on self-care, take a break or further their careers. It’s no secret that the laws surrounding child custody in Virginia can get confusing. Parents who have questions about the legal aspects of their child custody arrangement could obtain guidance by contacting a knowledgeable family law attorney.