Courts typically grant sole legal custody when one parent poses obvious risks to the child’s well-being, such as abuse, neglect and incarceration, just to name a few. However, these are not the only reasons you might want to seek sole custody of your child.
The core rationale behind a custody agreement should be the best interests of your child. Here are other scenarios where filing for sole custody might be the best option.
Lack of parental involvement
If the other parent consistently shows minimal interest or effort in participating in their child’s life, it could be a good enough reason to seek sole custody. The court may determine this behavior as going against the child’s best interests.
For instance, an uninvolved parent can lead to feelings of neglect in your child, which can spiral into other problems like abandonment issues and low self-esteem. Nipping the issue in the bud can be better for you and your child in the long run.
Relocation
One parent moving to a faraway state or a different country can make shared custody highly impractical. Frequent travel can disrupt your child’s routine, interrupt their schooling and make it difficult for them to maintain social relationships.
While sole custody can be a better option in situations like this, you can still collaborate with your coparent to plan visitations whenever feasible. A family law attorney can help you arrange this.
Extreme parental conflict
Conflict is common between separating parents. In some cases, however, attempting to share custody within all the fighting can do more harm than good for the child.
Sole custody can be a better option to avoid exposing your child to hostile environments, frequent emotional tension and unproductive communication. These situations can make it even more difficult for them to process the divorce which, in turn, can lead to excessive emotional distress.
While obvious risks like abuse or neglect are common reasons for seeking sole custody, there are other valid scenarios where it might be in the best interest of the child. In the end, it is up to you as the parent to make sure your child’s emotional and physical needs are met, even if that means making difficult decisions regarding custody agreements.