California couples who are going through a divorce may be considering a 50/50 child custody arrangement. Under this type of arrangement, the children will spend an equal amount of time with both parents throughout the year. While this may seem like a fair solution for everyone, it may turn out not to be the best one.
You need to consider the logistics
Remember that 50/50 child custody can be split up into a variety of different schedules. Some parents may opt for having the children spend a week with one parent and then a week with the other parent. Others may opt for a 2/2/3-day rotation or something similar. Whatever custody arrangement you come up with, you’ll need to think about the logistics of actually implementing it.
You’ll want to start by assessing the travel time to transport your children from one parent to the other. Next, you’ll want to think about the child’s lifestyle, activity schedules and school. Assess how much time you’ll be taking away from their regular activities for travel when switching custody.
The age of your child matters
At a young age, going through a lot of changes can be overwhelming. As a parent, you want to do everything possible to ensure that your child feels stable. It’s not uncommon for parents to decide that a 50/50 custody arrangement is not always the best option for children below the age of 12. The constant switching between parents can make the child feel unstable and hinder their ability to focus on tasks like school. A 50/50 child custody arrangement may be ideal for children who are over the age of 12 and can handle the constant transition from one parent’s house to the next.
As you continue through your divorce proceedings, child custody is going to be a hot topic. While you may believe that 50/50 child custody seems fair because that’s the way you split most of your other marital assets, it may not always be the best option for your family. It’s vital that you take the time to think about how any potential custody arrangement will affect your child before you agree to it.
