If you and your spouse contemplate divorcing in Kentucky, you may wish to consider sharing custody of your children after your divorce. In all likelihood, both of you love your children and neither of you wants to become an absentee parent limited to visitation every other weekend and alternating holidays. Joint custody can solve this dilemma.
Joint custody has become the custody arrangement of choice over the past several decades, not only of divorcing parents, but also of child psychologists and family law judges and attorneys. Except in the most extreme circumstances of a history of family abuse, children invariably benefit from continuing to have strong relationships with both parents after a divorce.
Kids’ benefits
As reported by StatNews.com, a new study reveals just how children benefit from joint custody, including in the following ways:
- They do better in their academic endeavors.
- They have better peer relationships.
- They suffer less stress, anxiety and depression when their parents divorce.
- They have less risk of turning to drugs and alcohol.
- They maintain more meaningful relationships with their various grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousin, etc. on both sides of their family.
Parents’ benefits
While you should always keep the best interests of your children foremost in mind during your divorce, joint custody can benefit you and your spouse as well as them in the following ways:
- You likely will cooperate with each other better as your children grow up.
- You likely will adhere to your parenting plan better.
- You will know that you both serve as exemplary role models for your children.
- You will have the satisfaction of watching your children develop into secure, well adjusted adults.
While this information is not legal advice, it can help you understand joint custody and the benefits your children could derive from such an arrangement.
