It can be hard for Nebraska parents to determine custody agreements after divorce. The most common custody arrangement usually has one parent with primary custody, while the parents alternate weekends.
This works for many families, but it’s not a true 50/50 custody arrangement. Parents looking for an equitable custody arrangement have several options.
Equal custody split
Many parents can have a genuinely equal custody arrangement where one parent has full custody for one week, then swaps off to the other parent. Sometimes this involves the children going from household to household every week, rather than just every weekend.
A more recent version of 50/50 custody involves the children staying in the family home full-time, while the divorced parents take turns living with them. This newer custody concept is called nesting.
While the parents take turns living with the children, the parent who doesn’t have custody for that week will leave for a separate home. Sometimes this can be an apartment or home, or the parent will live with extended family members.
The pros of nesting
There’s a lot of instability associated with divorce, especially for children. Allowing them to stay in the family home gives them more stability and a bigger sense of agency.
Having only one parent around at a time will still be an adjustment, but they won’t have to deal with a scary second home and won’t have to worry about bringing their things between two houses.
This custody arrangement can also be great for parents. You can have limited contact with your ex-spouse, and both parents get equal space and time to process their emotions.
The downsides
Nesting might seem like the ideal option for many families, but it’s definitely got its downsides. For one, it does require two if not three homes that are the responsibility of the parents to pay for. But for the right family, nesting can be a great option.
