Custody battles are a notorious part of divorce. While not every couple argues over custody, it is true that typically one parent feels at least a little slighted by the final custody order. This can lead to issues down the road, including rough relationships between that parent and the children. Many states are trying to figure out a way to help families stay more connected when making custody decisions. In Tennessee, it is still common for one parent to get the majority of time with the children, but there is a movement to try to change that.
According to WVLT, the goal is to work towards more of a shared parenting situation where parents get equal or near equal time with the children. Of course, the proposed changes do not take away the rights of judges to consider what is in the best interests of the children. That will always supersede anything else in a custody case.
The idea behind this push for more equal parenting time is from fathers who feel they often are the ones who get hurt when one parent gets more time than the other. The traditional setup gives mothers the majority custody, meaning fathers are not getting to see or spend time with their children except for a few days per month. With changes to an equal setup, fathers would have the chance to get more time. This would also benefit the children who would have more time with both parents and not be caught in the middle of a custody battle. This information is for education and is not legal advice.
