Many Mississippi parents get divorced each year. Devising a fair and comprehensive co-parenting plan is a primary concern in these circumstances. Typically, parents have a say regarding child custody issues. However, each family’s situation is unique, which is why a concerned parent will want to consider several factors when negotiating child custody, including each child’s age.
Every child must process and adapt to divorce in his or her own way. When considering custody options, parents will want to think about each child’s level of maturity. Even within the same family, what works best for one child might not be the ideal solution for another.
Accommodating the needs of an infant
If a set of parents file for divorce when they have an infant in the household, they will want the custody schedule to accommodate the baby’s needs. For instance, if a mother is breastfeeding her infant, she will either need to be with the baby throughout every day or agree to pump breast milk so that someone else can feed the infant from a bottle. While some parents agree to share physical custody, others work out an agreement where a noncustodial parent can make frequent visits, even daily, if possible.
Child custody options for older kids
Mississippi family court judges typically agree that the best child custody arrangement for most children is shared custody. Children of toddler age or older often adjust well to dividing their time between two households, perhaps spending two or three days in a row with one parent, then the same amount of time with the other. Custody exchanges can take place by the week or month, as well. What is most important is to consider the ages of each child and determine an arrangement that best fits his or her needs. If a parent has questions about child custody laws, he or she can request a meeting with a family law attorney before heading to court.
