If you have two children who vary widely in age or who do not get along, one of the things you might want to consider during your divorce is setting up a split custody schedule. A split custody schedule separates your children on opposite schedules most of the time, which means that you don’t have to have them together in the same home.
Split custody can be helpful in many different circumstances. It can be beneficial when one child is young but the other is an older teen looking to date or handle heavy school workloads with a need for more quiet and focus. It can be better when one child needs around-the-clock care and you don’t want to leave the other unattended or make them feel like they get less attention. It can be a fantastic option if your children don’t get along until you can get them past their conflicts with one another, too.
Will a court allow split custody?
Usually, the answer is yes. The judge that presides over your case has to think about what would be in the best interests of your children. If the best scenario would be to separate them most of the time, then the judge may rule to keep the split custody schedule.
A judge may prefer a split custody schedule that has at least a few times during the week or month when the siblings can be together. For example, you might keep your elementary-aged child in your home during the week, your teen with the other parent during the week and both together on weekends. This kind of arrangement can make a lot of sense and be in both children’s best interests as they focus on studying and reaching individual milestones.
Split custody could be a good choice in your case, but it’s not for everyone. If you think that you want to try split custody, talk to your ex-spouse and attorney. You may be able to come up with a custody schedule that is better for everyone, reducing conflict and making sure both children get the attention they need.
