If you haven’t gotten to that point yet in your proceedings, you may want to consider various factors that may impact your decisions regarding your own living situation, as well as your children’s, once the court finalizes your divorce. It’s good to remember that a particular agreement need not necessarily be permanent. In most cases, it’s possible to request modification of an existing court order should you determine a need to do so down the line.

Which type of living situation best fits your family’s needs?

The good news is that you can customize your parenting plan to provide for your immediate and long-term needs while focusing on your children’s best interests. One or more of the following living styles may be applicable to your situation:

• If one parent has sole legal and physical custody of your children, it definitely limits your living arrangement choices. If you are the custodial parent, you have the ability to choose where you and your children will reside. It may be even be possible for you to keep living in the house you shared with your former spouse during marriage.
• Joint physical custody means your children will be traveling back and forth between homes. To keep stress levels as low as possible, you and your former spouse may want to make sure your residences are close in distance.
• Shared legal custody means you and your former spouse must agree before making any major life decisions regarding your children. This goes for medical issues as well as education and religious matters. It may also affect your living situation in some way.
• Some Kentucky parents choose a bird nesting option as a living situation. In this situation, the children keep living in the family home while the parents take turns living with them.

You may feel strongly that you know what type of living situation would be best for your children following your divorce. However, if your former spouse disagrees with your assessment, you may face tremendous challenge trying to implement your plan. If have questions regarding your rights as a parent when it comes to deciding where your children will live, you can tap into support resources available to find a swift and agreeable solution to your problem.