The need to share parental rights and responsibilities is a challenge for those who end their romantic relationships. Divorcing spouses and unmarried parents who separate have to work out a parenting schedule.
They share physical custody or time with their children. They also likely share legal custody or the right to make parenting decisions. Most parents recognize that sharing time with their children could lead to conflict. The need to cooperate regarding major decisions can also lead to co-parenting disputes.
What complications are common when parents share legal custody?
Intentionally withholding information
Proper decision-making requires an understanding of circumstances. Parents need to know about a child’s recent medical history or academic performance to make informed decisions about their care or request to join extracurricular activities.
Co-parents may need to have a system in place to share important information about their children. Doing so allows each parent to make appropriate decisions during their parenting time.
Disagreeing on major decisions
Shared legal custody does not just empower each parent to make choices during their parenting time. It also requires that parents cooperate on major decisions with long-term implications. In some cases, parents may find it impossible to agree when making decisions about a child’s medical care, religious practices or school.
Parents may need to integrate terms into their parenting plans that address decision-making disputes. In cases where they cannot reach an agreement, they may need to take the matter back to family court to have a judge determine what is in a child’s best interests.
Cooperating to make parenting decisions can be as challenging as adjusting to a shared parenting schedule. Parents who understand the importance of shared legal custody can implement thoughtful strategies to parent cooperatively.
