Georgia courts tend to veer toward 50/50 custody by default. The general philosophy is that unless 50/50 custody would go against the child’s best interests, it makes sense for parents to share childcare duties equally. Despite this, there are some who believe that 50/50 custody may not be as beneficial for children as many believe. This may be a conversation worth having with an experienced child custody lawyer in Georgia.
A 50/50 Schedule Can Be Stressful for a Child
Even if parents live in the same general neighborhood, a 50/50 schedule can be quite stressful for the children. The obvious issue is that the child must constantly travel back and forth between the two homes. Ideally, the parents will set less frequent custody exchanges to address this issue. However, even moving to a different home once every month can be challenging.
Of course, this all depends on the child’s personality. Some children may be perfectly all right with packing their bags every two weeks and living in a different home. On the other hand, some children need a stable home environment to ensure mental well-being. Carefully consider your child and their need for predictable routines and stability. Do they find traveling stressful? These are the questions you may need to ask if you are considering a 50/50 split.
It is not just the home that constantly changes in a 50/50 custody schedule. Children are also exposed to different parenting styles, and this can be quite confusing. One parent might be more lenient, while the other may be more strict. Faced with these two different standards every two weeks, the child may not understand exactly what is expected of them. You might also be frustrated when you set certain rules with your child, and your ex does not enforce them.
Finally, parents may have different schedules and work commitments that make 50/50 splits difficult. For example, one parent might have more free time during the day, perhaps because they work from home. The other parent might have a much more demanding schedule and long commutes. In this situation, the parent with the more challenging work schedule would end up spending less time with the kids than the other, even in a 50/50 split.
What are the Alternatives?
Instead of a 50/50 split, you might want to consider a custody schedule that involves one parent taking the child on the weekends. This could be particularly effective for parents with busy work schedules. That said, this type of schedule also involves frequent custody exchanges, which can be stressful for the children. Another option is to have one parent take the children over the summer. This ensures only one or two custody exchanges per year, and it may reduce interference with school progress. Ultimately, the “best” custody schedule depends entirely on your family’s unique circumstances and your child’s needs.
Can a Child Custody Lawyer in Georgia Help Me?
A child custody lawyer in Georgia may be able to help you determine the best possible co-parenting schedule. While a 50/50 split may seem “fair,” it might not be the best option based on your child’s unique circumstances. Consider speaking with an experienced child custody lawyer in Georgia to learn more about alternative parenting schedules that might be more beneficial for your child. Speak with Lankford & Moore Law today.
