Traditional custody orders often placed children primarily with one parent, while the other got limited visitation. Increasingly, courts are exploring shared parenting and joint custody models, especially where both parents are capable and genuinely engaged with the child.
Under shared parenting, the child may spend substantial time with both parents, with decisions on education, health and upbringing taken jointly. This doesn’t always mean a 50–50 split, but it aims to maintain meaningful bonds with both sides rather than treating one as a “visitor”.
Courts consider the child’s age, schooling, distance between homes, parents’ working hours, communication quality and absence of violence or serious conflict. Where cooperation is possible, structured plans with detailed schedules and responsibility sharing can reduce friction and uncertainty.
This model recognises that, even if a marriage ends, parenthood usually continues. It’s not suitable in every case — especially where there is abuse or high conflict — but where it works, it can significantly reduce emotional damage to children.