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Spare the rod, spoil the child custody agreement?

by | Nov 4, 2015 | Child Custody, Firm News |

Many people believe that life is lived by a series of rules. Whether one considers federal and state laws, or moral concepts of right and wrong, there is no doubt that rules and guidelines help to make the wheels of day-to-day life run more smoothly. California residents who are working out child custody arrangements as part of divorce proceedings will be familiar with the difficulties of creating rules that take into consideration the schedules of two households.

It is impossible to split the child, or children, in half, so a certain level of flexibility can be useful. Having routines in place can certainly help children to adjust to new living arrangements, but it is not always possible to adhere rigidly to schedules. In many cases, half an hour here or there is unlikely to create a major problem.

Where divorced or divorcing parents remain on good terms, reaching an amicable agreement is not only possible, but preferable. In such instances, it is more likely that the best interests of the child can be served by keeping the lines of communication open. Ensuring that everyone understands when and how arrangements may need to be altered will allow each parent to maintain a positive relationship with the children, as well as with each other.

There are some California residents for whom this may not work. Sometimes it is necessary for child custody agreements to be more strict, and this could be for a variety of reasons. Whatever one’s circumstances, it is advisable to seek the appropriate advice, in the best interest of everyone concerned.

Source: The Huffington Post, “What Happened After My Ex-Husband and I Threw Away Our Custody Agreement“, Candice Curry, Oct. 23, 2015

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