If you are a high-income professional going through a divorce, you may worry that a demanding job will keep you from equal parenting time. Many executives, physicians and other professionals in California share this concern. But long hours and work travel do not automatically prevent physical custody.
What is the best interest standard?
California courts determine custody based on your child’s best interests. This determination is not a rigid formula. Rather, it depends on your specific circumstances. While your availability matters, judges recognize that you cannot measure quality parenting based on how many hours you spend with your child.
Under California law, a court’s primary focus when determining a child’s best interest is the child’s health, safety and welfare. Factors such as the strength of your bond with your child can often influence court decisions. Your career success can actually demonstrate your ability to provide financial and emotional stability in your child’s life..
How do custom plans help your child
Standard parenting schedules rarely accommodate the complex realities of professional life. A traditional every-other-weekend arrangement may not work for you. Custody arrangements rarely work well with a one-size-fits-all approach.
Custom parenting plans can allow you to follow a schedule that honors both your professional obligations and your parenting relationship. These plans can incorporate:
- Flexible exchange times that account for court appearances or board meetings
- Compensatory time that gives you additional days with your children when you return from trips
- Strategic holiday and vacation schedules that maximize your available time off
There are many ways to structure a custom parenting plan that protects your access without compromising your professional commitments. Even if your parenting schedule is not 50/50, you can find ways to make it more balanced.
Tailoring a custody plan accordingly
Your career success should help, not hurt, your custody arrangement. With careful planning and skilled legal counsel, you can keep both your career on track and a strong parenting schedule. Consider approaching custody negotiations with clear strategies for custody plans. You do not have to choose between hurting your career and getting an inequitable parenting schedule.
