Working parents may be concerned about faring badly in Connecticut custody disputes because of their jobs, particularly if the other parent stays at home with the children. However, it is not inevitable that the higher-earning parent will have to sacrifice time with the children.
Parents should prioritize the best interests of the children. This means that they should not think in terms of trying to “win” the dispute and should instead be realistic about what they can do for the children. For example, if they want weekday time with their children, they should make sure they will be available to help them get ready for school in the morning and to help them finish schoolwork, eat dinner and go to bed in the evening. They should also have a plan in case a child is sick and must stay home from school. Parents should avoid overestimating what they will be able to do based on their work schedule.
Parents who will not be able to manage after-school pickups or who will need child care some of the time should not assume this will disqualify them from having that time with the children. Courts are understanding about the need to have others involved sometimes. However, parents should keep in mind that they must meet whatever standards they are holding each other to.
Parents may agree to share physical custody after a divorce, or one parent might have custody and the other parent may have visitation rights. They should keep in mind that visitation rights can be generous and may give them ample time with their children. There may also be situations in which one parent feels the child is unsafe with the other parent. If this is the case, the parent may want to discuss the matter with an attorney.