Custody tips for the professional parent

 Posted on January 07, 2020 in Child Custody

When you're a professional (or otherwise deeply invested in your career), managing the demands of parenthood can be challenging. That's doubly so if you find yourself facing a divorce.

How do you balance the needs of your children while still preserving your career? Knowing the answer to these questions could be key to obtaining the type of custody you seek, so here are some things to consider:

1. How far will your company go to make accommodations for you?

Be clear and direct with your boss or supervisor. Explain what schedule you need in order to take care of your child and don't be afraid to negotiate. Having a clear idea of what you can do helps you negotiate better.

You need to know, for example, that you can safely propose an alternate-week custody schedule because your boss has agreed that you can work from home those weeks.

2. How do you intend to manage after-school pickups and other child care until you get home?

You don't have to pretend that you can "do it all." You do, however, need to show the court that you're thinking ahead. Know who will be providing you with reliable child care and give the court some assurance that you'll be home at a reasonable hour.

3. How much custody time can you really handle?

This is a tough question, but you owe it to yourself and your child to be honest about the answer. It's okay if you can only handle weekends with the kids or some other schedule. Even though you're divorced, you and your ex-spouse are still a team when it comes to raising the kids.

Negotiating a child custody agreement can be one of the most stressful parts of a divorce. Fortunately, you don't have to go it alone. Find out how an experienced attorney can help.