Don't Ask the Court for Sole Custody Just to Get a Better Financial Package

When a client comes into our offices asking me about whether he or she should file for sole custody, it always makes me skeptical right from the start. Is this parent truly acting in the best interest of the child or are they acting in their own best interest by trying to get more child support?

Other attorneys may advise their clients to do this, but it often only makes the situation worse. Moreover, getting your children from Friday night to Saturday evening isn't how to define a weekend. A weekend should be Friday after school until Monday morning before school (I'm a proponent of using school or other neutral spots as pick-up and drop-off points as it eliminates the issue of contact between contentious parties). You really need enough days to allow a smooth transition between homes and have the children get comfortable and spend regular time. Many of the judges we appear before are finally recognizing that blocks of time are needed to parent a child. Hours of time are not enough. So make sure the judge gives you enough time with your children and forget about the label of sole custody versus shared parenting time.