Sharing parental rights and responsibilities is typically standard practice in Georgia when parents begin living separately or file for divorce. In many cases, parents do their best to split parental responsibilities as evenly as possible.
However, it is still common for the children to spend more time at one home than the other. The parent who has more overnight time with their children has primary residential placement of the children. There are benefits associated with securing the primary residential placement of minor children in a shared custody situation.
Why is primary placement of children an important consideration when parents share custody?
1. School enrollment
The residence where children spend more of their time is their primary residence. They report that address as their home address. Where the children live influences which schools they can attend. For many families going through a major transition, keeping children in the same school system is a top priority in a shared custody scenario. Children who can attend the same school maintain their crucial peer relationships.
2. Income tax considerations
When parents file their annual income tax returns, they can receive certain credits for their children. However, only one parent can typically claim the children in any given year. For many families, primary residential placement of the children is what ultimately determines which parent can claim the children for income tax purposes.
3. Daily consistency
Children need to know what to expect from day to day to feel stable and confident. The more time they spend in their primary residence following the same schedule, the more predictable life is for them. Children who have a stable routine and living environment are more likely to bounce back quickly with minimal emotional challenges after disruptive experiences, such as the divorce of their parents.
Negotiating with a spouse to secure primary residential placement of minor children is often a viable option, as parents can opt to set their own terms. The courts approve the terms and integrate them into a custody order. Other times, parents may need to litigate. Learning more about the impact of different child custody decisions can help parents assert themselves and make plans that are in the best interests of their children.