Exploring Shared Residency

Shared Residency Rochester Divorce Lawyer Answers FAQ's

Shared residency has quickly become a popular option for divorcing parents. However, despite the benefits this type of parenting arrangement has for children, it may not always be the appropriate option, especially for warring parents.

Shared Residency Rochester Divorce Lawyer Answers FAQ's

The Basics of Shared Residency

Over the past few decades, it has become abundantly clear that children of divorced parents do better when both parents are equally active in their lives. With both parents contributing equally to a child’s upbringing, the child experiences far less emotional trauma caused by separation and parental infighting.

Shared residency, also known as split residency, is an arrangement where the children spend relatively the same amount of time living with each parent in their respective homes. Many options exist for parents to structure an agreement, but none can work if the parents cannot get along.

In fact, a shared residency plan could be detrimental to a child’s growth when the parents cannot communicate without fighting. Warring couples who attempt a shared residency agreement end up invariably exposing their children to the same destructive fighting that occurred during the marriage.

Child Support and Shared Residency

In shared residency agreements, one parent may be ordered to pay child support. Typically, the parent who makes the most money will pay child support to the other parent, who usually is granted sole legal custody of the child.

In some cases, however, the parent with sole legal custody may still be required to pay child support when their salary is greater than the other parent’s. The amount of time each spends with the child is not determinative in a judge’s child support decision.

Making It Work

When children spend equal time with their divorced parents, they tend to handle growing up and entering society much better than children who spend most of their time with only one parent.

For this reason, couples who enter into a shared residency agreement will usually try to do what they can to make the agreement work so their children’s growth is not hampered.

Keep It About the Children’s Best Interests

Knowing that children do better with shared residency agreements is a strong incentive for parents to choose this type of arrangement. When the going gets tough, however, this type of agreement can be difficult to maintain amicably. In hard times, parents do well to focus on the best interests of the child and find the inspiration to make it work.

Don’t Speak Ill of Your Ex-Spouse to Your Child

No matter how tempting it is to rattle off a few critical lines about your ex-spouse around your child, it is better for your child’s well-being and growth for you to do this kind of talking when they are not around.

Always Communicate

Constant communication will help keep your shared residency agreement running smoothly. Any issues or concerns you have should be communicated to the other parent to prevent matters from festering and schedules from being ruined.

Need Help?

The Cimino Law Firm is ready to help you with your shared residency issues or any other family law matters you may have. Call our office to speak with an attorney today.

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