Can anyone give me their stories and the outcome when it came to 50/50 custody and each parent wanting the child to go to school in their district? The other parent is taking me to court since we can’t agree, and I’m looking for others’ stories on this.
It really depends if one parent’s location would change the current school and the other will not. The ‘best interest of the child’ is defined a bit differently per state, but generally, it’s about keeping routines and avoiding unnecessary stress from relocating schools, classmates, etc. If both parents are moving out of the district, they should figure out which district offers the best education.
@Devon
That makes sense. I just want to know how other people have handled similar situations.
I honestly don’t understand how parents can argue about which school to send the child to, especially to the point of going to court. If both of you live close enough for equal timeshare and joint custody, it seems like you should just look at both schools objectively and choose the better one for the kid. Look at academic performance, extracurriculars, and school ratings. It should really be about what’s best for the child.
@Jason
I did exactly that, but he won’t listen to me. He thinks if she goes to my school, he’ll have to pay child support.
If the child is starting kindergarten, consider where the child’s doctor, daycare, and extracurriculars are located. That can show where they are more integrated. Do you have true 50/50 visitation or does one house have more overnights? Also, are there older siblings in either district? That could influence the decision.
@Quinnley
It’s true 50/50, but I have more nights since she stays with me during the day and is in daycare at his house. His home is the original marital house, and she goes to daycare closer to his house.
The judge may lean towards you because your schedule is more flexible. If someone has to pick her up sick from school, you’re more likely to be available.
Cade said:
The judge may lean towards you because your schedule is more flexible. If someone has to pick her up sick from school, you’re more likely to be available.
That’s good to know. I hope that helps my case.
Does the custody order say joint legal custody or does one parent have ultimate decision-making regarding legal custody?
Sky said:
Does the custody order say joint legal custody or does one parent have ultimate decision-making regarding legal custody?
It does say joint legal custody.
In my case, my ex and I live in the same district, but we have different high schools. The high school that serves my ex’s house is higher ranked and better than mine. We just decided to use my ex’s address for the kids to go to the better school. It wasn’t even a discussion. I drive the extra distance without any issues, and the kids come first.
@Junita
That’s great to hear. I wish we could agree like that. My co-parent is really difficult.
@Junita
It wasn’t always easy. We had a rough divorce, but we worked it out for the kids. You just have to get over the past for their sake.
Junita said:
@Junita
It wasn’t always easy. We had a rough divorce, but we worked it out for the kids. You just have to get over the past for their sake.
Did you go to therapy or anything to help with that?
Junita said:
@Junita
It wasn’t always easy. We had a rough divorce, but we worked it out for the kids. You just have to get over the past for their sake.
Yeah, we started with therapy for the marriage and then switched to co-parenting therapy. It helped us rebuild trust.