Why you should Seek Joint Custody in your Divorce

When you are going through a divorce, it is easy to be angry at your spouse and to believe you are the better parent. However, is seeking sole custody of your children the right decision? Some states have passed laws that encourage shared parenting of children involved in divorce.

So, should you consider shared parenting even though you would prefer to relegate your ex-spouse to a lesser role? The answer obviously depends upon your unique circumstances. However, according to author Robert Franklin, in the majority of the cases it is definitely something you should discuss with your attorney.

One of the primary factors contributing to the epidemic of fatherlessness is our country’s family courts that focus on granting the parenting obligation to one parent. When one parent, typically the father, is granted only visitation rights, it means the child spends an average of 14-20% of the time with him. This is obviously not in the “best interests” of the child. There is an overwhelming amount of research that has revealed that children are more likely to thrive when they have two parents involved in their lives. This means that they are more likely to stay in school, not get involved with drugs or alcohol, stay out of jail, as well as many other positives than children with only one parent.

It makes sense that having two parents is better for children because parenting is a tough job. It takes a lot of time, energy, emotion and money. Having a partner in these efforts allows each parent to be the best they can be. Also, children form an attachment to both of their parents at an early age, so losing a parent, who was a major part of the child’s life, can be traumatic.

So, before you let the anger and hurt you feel toward your spouse convince you that he or she should no longer be a major part of your child’s life, you must be honest with yourself about what is truly best for your child. If you dig deep, you will likely find that maintaining an active and meaningful relationship with both parents is what is best for your children.

Whether your divorce is amicable or full of disputes, we are here to help. Contact the knowledgeable attorneys at the Men’s Divorce Law Firm. Our office is located in Orlando, Florida, but we proudly serve husbands and fathers across the State. The firm also serves men out of state with child custody interests in Florida.