How Does Child Custody Work In a Long-Distance Divorce?
It can be tough to make child custody arrangements work in a long-distance divorce. A typical visitation schedule where one parent gets visitation every other weekend is unlikely to work if you need to drive for hours or take a plane to get from your home to where your ex lives. Fortunately, there are ways to make a fair long-distance arrangement and change the terms of your agreement if any circumstances change. Our Morristown child custody attorneys can help you with this.
Which Factors Have to Be Considered When Making Long-Distance Custody Arrangements?
There are a few matters to consider before you make a long-distance custody plan. Some important factors include:
How far the parents are from each other: Is this a situation where a long drive is necessary, or do the kids need to take a plane to get to and from the noncustodial parent’s home? This can affect how often the kids can travel to see their parent and factor into how long of a stay would be fair.
School schedules: If you and your ex live far away from each other, arranging visitation around school schedules is a necessity. Breaks from school would probably end up being the best time for the kids to visit a parent who lives far away.
Finances of both parents: How much travel the parents can afford can also factor into a custody arrangement.
The age of the children: As kids get older, they can travel alone. That can mean that they can visit the noncustodial parent more often. Their schedules also get busier though. That can make it harder to stick to the previous custody arrangements.
How Can Parents Manage Long-Distance Custody Arrangements?
It can be tough to deal with a long-distance custody arrangement, but you can make it easier by remaining flexible, keeping a good co-parenting relationship, and making sure that your children’s needs are your top priority. This can mean driving to meet your ex halfway when it’s time to pick up or drop off the kids. It can also mean respecting your son or daughter’s schedule as they grow up and take part in activities or hobbies that might affect their availability for visitation.
What is the Best Way to Tackle Custody Issues?
Things can change, and even a well-planned, long-distance custody arrangement that works for a while could end up requiring adjustments down the road. Maybe you or your ex have moved, or maybe your kids have busier schedules now. Whatever the case may be, we can help you negotiate with your ex and figure out a new arrangement that better suits everyone. Mediation sessions can work well here, but we’ll take any approach that can help you negotiate a fair agreement.
Contact Our Lawyers
So if you need help negotiating a fair, long-distance custody arrangement, we want to be of assistance. Contact Lazor Rantas, PC and schedule a consultation with our legal team.
