Divorce is seldom a simple process in Texas or anywhere else. When children are involved, the situation can become much more stressful and solutions more difficult to achieve. This can be particularly true where child custody is involved. The custody arrangement will almost definitely require contact with an ex-spouse, and that can be a challenging situation. One should always keep in mind the best interest of his or her child, and maintaining a civil relationship can simplify the situation.
There are some other measures that can be taken in an attempt to ease the stress that may be involved in sharing custody of one’s children. It is important to always be respectful when speaking to or about the other parent in the children’s presence. Studies have shown that children do best when maintaining a loving and respectful relationship with both parents.
Maintaining close geographic proximity is important in a fully shared custody situation. If the distance exceeds 20 miles, it can be difficult to implement a 50/50 custody agreement. This is particularly true of older children where schools, sports and friends can become a significant issue.
Arriving at a mutually agreed to child custody arrangement can be one of the most difficult aspects of a divorce. While the parents may no longer have love for each other, they typically love their children no differently. Maintaining that relationship and acting in the children’s best interest is paramount to their continued wellbeing. Consulting with an experienced family law professional in Texas and maintaining open and honest communication among all parties can go a long way towards reaching a successful agreement.