Why does joint physical custody seem so complicated?
Joint physical custody can be complicated, but it does not have to be. If parents attempt a joint physical custody arrangement in which the time is almost equal, with the children shuttling from the mother’s house to the father’s house and back, the logistics become almost unbearably complex. This shuttling can be unsettling to younger children, especially to those, who crave order and stability in their lives. Older children may find that this type of joint physical custody arrangement impacts negatively on their social lives and friendships, after-school activities, team sports, etc. The judge may not be sympathetic to a joint physical custody arrangement or at least one that is equal. Ask yourself whether you and your now-divorced family can handle the additional stresses of joint physical custody. Do not be surprised if the judge order a an additional evaluation to make certain custody arrangement.
