During a divorce in Georgia, alimony may become a powerful bargaining chip in private negotiations. You can potentially give up or “forfeit” your right to receive alimony in exchange for something else of value, and this is a common strategy employed by many spouses. But can you give up alimony in exchange for more parenting time? This is something you might want to discuss in more detail with an experienced alimony lawyer in Georgia. 

You Cannot Simply Buy More Parenting Time

Because alimony is a financial benefit, giving up access to these payments in exchange for more parenting may be problematic from the perspective of the family courts. You are essentially “buying” more parenting time with this type of arrangement, and reducing child custody to a financial transaction may not paint parents in the best light. 

Instead, every child custody decision should be based on the best interests of the child, and not much else. Instead of trying to buy more parenting time by offering to forfeit alimony, you might want to convince the court (and potentially your ex) why your child would benefit from spending more time with you. 

For example, you might point out that your home is closer to the child’s school. Perhaps you have set up a quiet “homework area” in your home with a desk, computer, and stationery. Maybe your ex has a demanding work schedule that leaves them less time to look after the child. Speak with a custody attorney to learn additional strategies based on the child’s best interests. 

You May Be Able to Forfeit Your Right to Alimony as Part of a Larger Deal

That said, it may be possible to use alimony as a bargaining chip if it is part of a larger deal that serves the best interests of the child. If your ex is reluctant to accept a custody arrangement that would serve the child’s best interests and you “throw in” an alimony waiver to sweeten the deal, the family court may be less disdainful of this financial transaction. If giving up alimony means the difference between a private settlement and a long, stressful trial, it could help the entire family move on with minimal bitterness and resentment. 

You Can Use Alimony as a Bargaining Chip in Other Ways

If you like the idea of using alimony as a bargaining chip, there are other strategies to consider. Perhaps the most obvious alternative is to forfeit alimony in exchange for a greater share of the marital property. 

Can a Georgia Alimony Lawyer Help Me?

While it may be possible to trade alimony in exchange for more parenting time during private negotiations, the family courts want parenting time to be based on the best interests of the child, not financial factors. Courts may not look favorably on parents who attempt to “buy” more parenting time by trading assets or spousal support. Consider expanding on this conversation with Georgia alimony lawyers at Lankford & Moore Law.