Is Texas on your side when it comes to shared parenting?

 Posted on February 01, 2020 in Child Custody

One of the toughest parts of your divorce could be making sure your children get what's best for them. A court order giving you an equal share in custody is an excellent place to start, but that's not a guarantee that it will work out that way.

The National Parents Organizations (NPO) gave Texas a C- for its shared parenting legislation. Not alone in the middle, Texas was one of 25 states that the organization assigned a C grade. Getting a fair share of time with your children is very important, but you may have to put in some extra work to get there.

Benefits of joint custody

The NPO sees joint custody as an essential part of bringing up your children, with stronger benefits appearing as you approach equal shares of time. Even if you and their other parent have a regular dose of disagreements between you, joint custody allows your children to develop healthier behaviors and perform better in most areas of growth. This can translate to better emotional, physical and academic development.

These positives are the main driving force behind the NPO's report card. The NPO believes that spending quality time with your children is essential. Getting the time with your children you both deserve isn’t always easy, but it's often in their best interest.

When joint custody is not the best option

Of course, there are situations when joint custody is not best for a child. Addiction to drugs or alcohol, or mental health issues, may throw a wrench into shared parenting time. When custody arrangements get complicated, make sure the court sees things the same way you do. Your kids deserve what is best for them.