It’s no secret that going through a divorce is an incredibly emotional time. However, while you may mourn the loss of this important relationship, if you have children, they, too, can suffer emotionally. You’ll also find that they may struggle adapting to the custody arrangement of living with mom for one week before going to dad’s. As such, you may decide that utilizing a nesting arrangement can help you and your family adapt to these changes. If you’re not sure what a nesting arrangement is or how to make this successful, you’ll want to keep reading. The following blog explores what you must know about this custody arrangement, as well as the importance of connecting with St. Louis child custody lawyers.
What Is a Nesting Arrangement, and What Are Its Benefits?
In a traditional custody arrangement, you’ll find that the child will spend a period of time living with the parent who has custody, as per the divorce decree, before going to live with their other parent. Depending on your circumstances, this can generally look like a week at a time, though your circumstances may vary.
There are a number of benefits of implementing a custody arrangement. Generally, one of the most important is that it can help your child better adapt to the changing of the family dynamic. They may have an easier time processing these matters if they remain in one central, familiar location. Additionally, you’ll find that this arrangement can be easier for the parents to navigate, as there is less tension regarding late pickups or drop-offs, which can help reduce arguments and conflict.
While this can be an expensive process, as you must maintain your current family home while also paying for a place to live when it is not your turn with the children, this process is not intended to be a permanent solution. Many families use nesting as a way to ease their child into the change in the family before transitioning to a traditional arrangement.
What Can I Do to Help This Succeed?
If you are interested in implementing a nesting arrangement for your divorce, it’s imperative to understand what discussions you should have with your spouse to help determine the appropriate guidelines to help this situation succeed. Generally, one of the most important matters revolves around new partners. For example, you may be uncomfortable with a relative stranger to your children spending the night. As such, you may prohibit overnight guests from the nesting space or request to meet your ex’s new partner before they are introduced to your children.
Another important consideration you should make during this process regards household chores and maintenance of the nesting space. Failure to outline these responsibilities can result in feeling as though the workload is unfair.
Creating a nesting arrangement can have a number of important benefits for your family. However, this is not a matter that should be taken lightly. As such, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced family law attorney with Stobie Family Law Group to explore your options. Our team understands how complicated these matters can be, which is why we will do everything possible to help guide you through these difficult times. Contact us today to learn how we can represent you.
