When divorced or separated parents share custody, they often have many details to address. They have to arrange a schedule that works for everyone in the family. They must ensure that the children have all necessary items at both homes.
They also have to navigate regular custody exchanges. Custody exchanges are an opportunity for parents to enter into arguments with one another. They can also become a source of conflict, especially if one parent is regularly late or particularly rude during custody exchanges.
The way that people plan to share custody may affect how well co-parenting arrangements work. Choosing the right location for a custody exchange is often important for parents who want to keep things as calm and amicable as possible. What are some of the best locations for custody exchanges?
1. The home of one parent
In some cases, one parent may have far more time with the children than the other. Particularly in scenarios where one parent only has visitation or weekend custody, it may make sense to have exchanges occur at the house of the parent with more parenting time.
The other parent can travel to and from their residence. When the children are grade school age or older, they can typically get into and out of the vehicle without the other parent exiting the home. Such arrangements can minimize face-to-face interactions and disputes between parents.
2. The residence of a trusted neutral party
Maybe there’s a significant distance between the parents’ homes, but a mutual friend or neutral family member lives in the middle. Perhaps a neighbor who knows the family agrees to be present during custody exchanges at their home.
Particularly in scenarios where people feel like they require the presence of a third party for safety’s sake or the limitation of conflict, meeting at the residence of a neutral person can allow them to make custody exchanges in a monitored but comfortable environment.
3. At a public location
In scenarios involving particularly high levels of conflict, meeting at private residences could lead to unnecessary altercations. Parents can limit the disputes that arise or prevent abusive conduct by meeting in a public location.
In cases that involve domestic violence, the parking lot of a local police station might be the best option available. Libraries and large grocery store parking lots can also be locations for custody exchanges.
Including location information and details about who has to travel for custody exchanges and help limit conflict between the parents. Adding the right details to a parenting plan can help limit the conflict that is often inherent in a shared custody situation.
