Virginia law generally allows divorced parents to share custody of their children assuming that they are fit to do so. In some cases, it may be appropriate to split custody in a 50/50 manner. However, this isn’t always what is best for the children.
An even split may be untenable
If you work an odd schedule, you may not be able to be there for your children on a regular basis. Instead, it may be best to create a custody schedule that allows you to work around your professional obligations. An even split may also be difficult if you live in another city or state. This is because requiring your child to travel on a regular basis may have a negative impact on his or her physical and mental health.
Don’t be petty
You may be tempted to seek shared custody simply because you don’t want to feel as if you’re taking a back seat to the other parent. However, engaging in a petty battle with a former partner may be harmful to your child. Ideally, you will only seek sole or majority custody in a family law proceeding if you feel that the other parent is unable to provide your son or daughter with a stable home. Otherwise, it’s generally in everyone’s best interest to do what’s right for your child even if it means making a personal sacrifice.
It’s important to embrace whatever opportunity you are given to be a positive force in your child’s life. Having a positive attitude may make it easier to convince a judge to give you greater rights to your child in the future. If you have any concerns about how your child is being treated, you will likely have a chance to bring them to the court’s attention.