When handling custody arrangements, the most ideal situation involves both parents being in an easily traveled distance from each other.
Of course, things do not always work this way in every divorce situation. Sometimes, individuals may need to relocate to other places that make organizing custody arrangements difficult. In such situations, how do you make it work?
Making flexible plans
Parents Magazine discusses long-distance custody situations and parenting. A parent may need to relocate for numerous reasons, from work to military absence to needing to care for an elderly or sickly family member. Regardless of the reason, you will have to figure out ways to make your arrangement work.
If you are on good terms with your co-parent, it is possible to settle the matter easily. You can simply work together to come up with a temporary arrangement that accommodates your co-parent’s new distance and submit it to the court for approval.
Military parents also have some exceptions that civilian parents do not, including exceptions when it comes to sudden relocations. It is possible to work out arrangements outside of court, allowing you to make temporary changes without going through a long trial process.
Using digital communication
The parent living at a distance can supplement their physical and in-person visitation with digital communication in the meantime, too. This can include phone calls, video chats, text messages and other forms of contact online or over mobile devices.
This allows a parent to continue fostering their relationship with their children, even when they cannot physically be there. It will ease some of the concerns of a distant co-parent, as well.
