The process of creating a custody agreement for a child of divorced parents is sometimes a difficult task. Joint custody, often referred to as “shared custody,” is the result of a court awarding custody of a child to both parents after a divorce. Parents in Wisconsin who find themselves trying to work out a joint custody agreement should keep some of these tips in mind to ensure their own happiness and, more importantly, that of their child.

If you can’t say anything nice…

Experts who have studied the impact of divorce on children consistently preach the importance of neither parent speaking ill about the other after the divorce. No matter how ugly the divorce may have gotten, the children involved still love both parents. That is why both parents should decide that any bad feelings about their ex won’t be discussed in front of their children.

Both parents should be realistic

Trying to create unrealistic rules concerning shared custody is a bad idea for everyone. Both parents should be realistic about their own schedules and build the schedule from there. If one parent is forced to travel regularly for work, he or she should concede those days to the other parent.

Bad spouses aren’t bad parents

While this could arguably be tied back to rule number one, it is a point worth looking at: Just because someone was a bad spouse doesn’t mean they were a bad parent. Experts report that it is better for the long-term health of the child to have constant contact and a steady relationship with both parents. Just because the marriage didn’t work doesn’t mean that both parents are any less important in the life of the children.

An attorney who works in family law may be able to help his or her clients draw up an agreeable joint custody agreement. This agreement may help ensure that both parents get to be involved in their children’s lives while still taking the needed steps to move on from the marriage.