For parents going through a divorce, one of the biggest hurdles that the family has to overcome is in regards to where the children will live and who will retain custody. For parents who are on good terms and who wish to preserve some semblance of normalcy for their children, this can be particularly difficult, and parents face questions such as: Will the children have to change schools? Will our kids have to move back and forth from one home to another? Will grades, friendships, and happiness of our children suffer as a result? For these parents, there may be a more ideal solution: Bird nesting.
What Is Bird’s Nest Custody?
Bird’s nest custody , or bird nesting, is a relatively new type of custody arrangement where the children remain within the family home, and the parents take turns living in the home with the children. For example, the parents may buy separate homes or possibly rent a joint apartment that they share at separate times, with one of them staying at the apartment (alone) and one of them staying at the house (with the children), and then switching as appropriate. This way, children do not have to adjust to a new home, friends, or neighborhood. Parents may switch off weeks or months depending upon the situations, or may even switch more frequently than that. For example, Mom may stay at the house Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Dad may be at the house Tuesday, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
When Does Bird’s Nest Custody Work, and When Does it Not?
Bird’s nest custody works in situations when parents are committed to minimizing disruptions in their children’s live, are able to agree on parenting decisions and are on good terms, and have the financial means to maintain the family home while also purchasing one or two separate properties (two if the parents do not want to share the other apartment).
However, this type of custody arrangement will not work if parties cannot agree about how the financial burden of mortgages/rent will be managed; cannot agree on basic parenting rules and guidelines; or if the relationship is generally adversarial.
Coming to an Agreement About Child Custody and Property Division
Coming to an agreement about the custody of your children and how property should be divided if you and your spouse are to separate can be extremely challenging to do. At the Law Offices of Michael A. Robbins, we can help you to explore bird’s nest custody arrangements as well as others, equitable division of property, spousal support, and myriad other issues that accompany a divorce. If you have questions, contact us today for a free case consultation by calling 248-646-7980.
