For many divorced parents, custody can be difficult. It can be difficult to work with an ex-spouse to come up with an arrangement that allows the child to spend time with either parent. A common problem is work schedules for parents. The most complicated custody problems arise when one of the parents uses a nontraditional work schedule like night work or weekend shifts. To make adjustments to an existing custody agreement, a parent should consult a lawyer.

Can I lose custody of children due to my non-traditional work schedule?
Parents with unusual or variable work shifts may fear that their working hours are the basis for denying them time with their children. Courts are not in the practice of denying custody of children based on when parents work or what they do for a living, as long as it does not adversely affect the children. Indeed, the courts generally advocate the protection of any regulation that enables the child to maintain a relationship with both parents.

How does the court determine custody of children?
The task of the court is to rule in favor of the regulation that is in the best interests of the child. The courts understand that every family has different needs and that parents must work to provide for their families. While work and other obligations complicate matters, it is customary for the court to do everything in its power to ensure that the children have the opportunity to spend time with both parents. Keeping parent-child bonds intact is treated as a high priority.

How can a parent’s work schedule negatively affect a child?
One way that a parent’s work schedule can affect the child is if the parent works at night and cannot be available for the child’s routine. The courts understand that children thrive when they can rely on familiar routines for their days. Babies and toddlers need consistent sleep and nap schedules and are comforted by familiar rituals and reliable schedules.

If school becomes part of the equation, then the school schedule rightly dictates the child’s daily routine. Parents trying to find an acceptable custody agreement should bypass these pillars. Any expectation that the child will meet the requirements of the parents’ availability will not be considered acceptable by the court.

Can day care affect a custody agreement?
One parent’s work schedule may affect the custody arrangement if the parent in the dormitory wishes to send the child to daycare at a time when the other parent is available to be with the child. This applies to parents in traditional professions as well as parents who work at night or on weekends. Usually the court prefers that the child spend time with one parent than any other caregiver. If a non-home parent can be with the child, the court will likely support the change in day care.

How can parents with difficult working hours comply with the custody agreement?
The best approaches will address the specific needs of the affected family. Many options have the potential to work as long as the focus is on what is best for the child. A child doesn’t have to have exactly the same routine in both homes, but maintaining a sense of alignment with their schedule can provide a sense of stability that will benefit them greatly. Some ways to solve custody problems are:

Working Together: The best way for parents to support their child is to put aside their differences and personal preferences. It is important to come up with a plan that suits the child’s needs.

Meet regularly: Employees with changing working hours are usually given their schedules weeks or months in advance. Depending on when the work schedule is available, both parents should find out about the upcoming calendar.

Be Flexible: Some parents with nontraditional jobs may experience fluctuations in their employment, such as: B. a construction worker who is given overtime. In this case, parents can benefit from having one plan for the busy season and another for periods of more downtime.

Should I adjust my living conditions?
The easiest way for parents to share custody is to have the family live close together. For example, if both parents’ houses are in the same school district, the task of getting the children to school is less complicated than if the houses were further apart. If the schedule can be accommodated from home, the prospect of spending the night at the home of the non-home parent becomes a viable option. The management of overnight stays in relation to work schedules is considered more acceptable by the court if the arrangement can be dealt with with little disruption to the child’s life.

Baltimore County’s custody attorneys at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC help divorced parents manage joint custody arrangements
When it comes to negotiating a workable custody agreement, parents who don’t follow traditional schedules have options. You have the right to adapt your custody agreement to the circumstances of your family. A Baltimore County custody attorney at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC can help you with your custody arrangement. Contact us online or call us at 443-589-0150 for a free consultation. Based in Hunt Valley and Towson, Maryland, we serve customers throughout Baltimore, Baltimore County, Bel Air, Bentley Springs, Colombia, Freeland, Hereford, Hampton, Westminster, Essex, Monkton, Sparks Glencoe, Parkton, Phoenix, Pikesville, White Hall, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County.

Visit our website at https://www.huesmanjonesandmiles.com/ for more information.