Divorce or separation can be a challenging experience for everyone in the family, especially children. In Florida, when parents share custody, it can lead to significant advantages for the children.
Florida recognizes the importance of shared parental responsibility. In doing so, it prioritizes the best interests of the child, making shared custody arrangements a viable and beneficial option for many families in the state.
Stability and consistency
Shared custody helps children maintain a sense of stability and consistency in their lives. They get to spend quality time with both parents, reducing the disruption caused by a complete separation. This stability contributes to a child’s emotional well-being and sense of security.
Emotional and psychological support
Children thrive when they have emotional and psychological support from both parents. Shared custody ensures that kids have regular access to both parents, providing them with a broader network of support during difficult times or life changes.
Strong familial ties
When parents share custody, children have the opportunity to build and maintain strong relationships with both sides of their extended families. This includes grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. This expanded support network can help foster a stronger sense of belonging and connection.
Reduced conflict
In many cases, shared custody reduces conflict between parents. When both parents remain actively involved in a child’s life, they tend to communicate and cooperate more effectively, creating a more harmonious environment for the children.
Improved academic performance
Students whose parents share custody also tend to perform better in school than their peers living with one parent. Research shows that students who spend time in the homes of both parents have higher grade point averages than students in single-parent homes.
Florida’s legal system typically encourages shared parental responsibility unless the court system determines it to be detrimental to the child’s well-being.