Virginia joint physical custody, according to the Virginia Legislative Code, refers to a situation in which the parents share custody and the child lives with both parents on a set schedule. Listed below are some of the ways in which shared child custody can be very beneficial for children of divorce:

• Shared custody allows more time with each parent. Unlike primary physical custody-also known as sole physical custody-in which the child lives only with one parent and sees the other during regular visitation, joint physical custody allows the child to live with each parent. This allows both parents to maintain a healthy parent-child relationship with their children.
• Parents benefit from having another parent around. There is nothing easy about being a single parent. Having your child’s father around and available to step in and give you some relief is as beneficial for you as it is for your child.
• Parents are forced to cooperate for the sake of their child. Joint physical custody means parents share the responsibilities of co-parenting. Parents who can successfully manage to share physical custody usually have less cause to draw out custody disputes in court and learn to communicate when it comes to their child’s well-being.
• Children benefit by feeling less “rejected” by an absent parent. When a child is allowed to spend large amounts of time with both parents, as is common in joint physical custody, the child is much less likely to feel abandoned by the parent “moving out.” This can ease the adjustment to life after a divorce as opposed to being thrown into a circumstance where one parent becomes absent from the child’s life for long periods of time.

To learn more about joint physical custody in Virginia, refer to our article The Pros and Cons of Joint Physical Custody.

The Virginia divorce attorneys at Hofheimer Family Law Firm exclusively represent Virginia women who wish to file for divorce. We are committed to fighting for your rights, assisting in child custody disputes, and ensuring that you receive everything you are entitled to and need in order to start your new life. Contact us to set up a legal consultation of your case – (757) 425-5200.