Each day, parents in Wisconsin make difficult decisions. Sometimes, these hard choices involve their children. During a divorce, courts must decide on custodial arrangements that determine which parent will make future decisions for their children. Knowing what to expect is essential if you’re considering pursuing sole custody of your child.
The pros of gaining sole custody
While it’s not typically an option courts prefer, sole custody can be perfect for a parent and child under the right conditions. If you’re a capable parent who can devote the time, effort and money necessary to raise a child, you’re a great potential candidate for sole custody.
The advantages of having sole custody are:
- Ensuring your child remains safe
- Not relying on a potentially unstable or unreliable ex-spouse
- Giving your child a stable environment
- Potentially fewer child-related arguments with a former spouse
The cons of sole custody
Before accepting sole child custody duties, it’s imperative to know what you’re signing up for. If you’re not ready for the time, money and energy required to raise a child, sole custody might not be the right option.
The disadvantages of having sole custody are:
- Being completely responsible for important decisions
- Potentially worsening the relationship between your ex-spouse
- Possiblly dealing with resentment from your child
- Taking on more financial responsibilities
Having sole custody of a child doesn’t eliminate the other parent from your child’s life. While someone with sole custody is their child’s legal decision-maker, other parents typically have visitation rights to see their children. Depending on the details of your divorce, a non-custodial parent may also have to pay child support.