When it comes to challenges associated with divorce, co-parenting is one of the most difficult. It’s easy to see why. Parents have a natural instinct to protect their children, and even in the most civil divorce case, the idea that one parent will be granted custody can be daunting at best and highly triggering at worst.

Understandably, parents can become very emotionally reactive when custody arrangements are brought up in court. Since there are two separate categories of custody established under Michigan family law (physical and legal), it becomes even more complicated if parents are not prepared to navigate the legal system during their divorce.

Challenges of Co-Parenting

Though reputable legal counsel is recommended throughout the divorce proceedings, it is not the only thing that you’ll need to manage the emotional complexities of a divorce with children involved. In the vast majority of cases, parents are granted joint custody, allowing them to co-parent and share equal responsibility in their children’s lives.

Co-parenting is an option that works for many couples, but it is nonetheless a learning curve. It’s a major adjustment for everyone involved, and can sometimes bring out the worst in parents and children alike as they try to get used to living under two different roofs, shuffling back and forth between two households, and balancing their loyalty to their parents, who may be publicly frustrated with each other.

Fostering Healthy Co-Parenting Dynamics

As legal representatives in the state of Michigan who often work with families going through divorce, we highly recommend obtaining a Parenting Time Guideline if you and your spouse are unable to agree on an arrangement yourselves. This takes a lot of the pressure off you and instead enables the Friend of the Court Bureau to help you put together a guideline that works for everyone in your family.

The Parenting Time Guideline not only provides sample schedules you can use, but also advises parents on what to expect during different developmental stages of their children’s lives. The Guideline is thorough and massively helpful for parents who are adjusting to co-parenting.

If you are seeking legal counsel from a reputable family law team, Beth Striegle and her associates would be more than happy to arrange a free consultation to discuss your plans and goals for the future, as you embark on your co-parenting journey. Reach out to us to learn more about our services.