Is Bird’s Nest Custody Right for You?

Fri 16th Jul, 2021 Blogs

Child custody can be a fraught topic for any divorcing couple. One of the most pressing questions on any parent’s mind is “where will our children live during and after the divorce?” Traditionally, both parents share legal custody of the children, but the children physically reside with one parent or the other — known as the “custodial parent.” This normally requires the children to be shuffled back and forth between the parents’ houses when the non-custodial parent has visitation. But a new form of child custody called “bird’s nest custody” has emerged in recent years that may be turning this longstanding arrangement on its head. Attorneys at our Stockton child custody law firm discuss whether bird’s nest custody may be right for you.

What Is Bird’s Nest Custody?

Bird’s nest custody is the opposite of traditional custody. Instead of the children moving back and forth between the parents’ houses, the children stay put in the family home and the parents take turns residing there to care for the children. The parents may each live in their own separate home or may share a single second home. This type of arrangement works best on a short-term basis while the divorce is pending, but in some cases may also be appropriate on a long-term basis.

What Are the Advantages of Bird’s Nest Custody?

This system offers a number of advantages over traditional child custody arrangements. First, it gives the children more stability during what will likely be the most consequential and possibly traumatic event of their childhood. Second, it allows the children to maintain continuous access to friends, family members, and schoolmates that they would otherwise lose if they were to move to a different location. Third, it centers the children — most parents’ most pressing concern — in the divorce process.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Bird’s Nest Custody?

Bird’s nest custody is not for everyone. It requires two things that not every couple has: (1) an amicable relationship, and (2) adequate financial resources. This type of custody requires an extraordinary level of cooperation and communication. To work effectively, the parents must generally be on good terms or at least be willing to tolerate each other for the wellbeing of the children. It can also be expensive. Maintaining at least two homes, and sometimes three, requires extensive financial resources and the willingness to invest them into the children. As such, it may be financially feasible only for high-net-worth couples.

Contact a Stockton Child Custody Law Firm for More Information

Bird’s nest custody is a unique, child-centered custody arrangement, but it is not for everyone. Before deciding on a bird’s nest custody arrangement, you should consider speaking to an attorney who can help you evaluate your situation and determine whether bird’s nest custody is right for you. For more information, please contact an attorney at the Stockton child custody law firm at McKinley, Conger, Jolley & Galarneau by using our online form or calling us at 209-477-8171.

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